Underage Smoking/Drinking/Doing drugs/etc.

[jokemaster]

To be honest, it is a fairly tough thing to enforce Not going to shake down every kid I see that 'looks' like he is under 18 and smoking I find the older I get, the more young kids look, even 18 year olds So to be honest, it is sort of a "diminishing" returns thing Don't really have time to raid the playground and make sure everyone is of age smoking...lol Now, places that SELL to underage kids, that is a DIFFERENT story, that needs to be enforced I feel kids under 18 smoking becomes more of a kids/parents type issue The parents need to steer and educate the kids against this. Don't think they will listen to the Police much What I DO see as a problem is if this many kids have enough disposable income to blow 5 bucks a pack on the cigs! I see underage drinking being an area to focus more pressure on also. So again, not really a "Police" issue but a "Parent" issue

[Bubsa]

 

 

 

Sure, getting high might mess up your mind, but its FUN.

 

 

 

 

 

I couldn't help but Lol at that statement. In this world of technology, we have TONS of countless entertainment values for fun, if you think lowering your IQ alittle bit more is "fun", well maybe you have drunk too much.

 

 

 

Hey, why take the risk of having sex and attracting an STI or...worse...a kicking, screaming brat in 10 months, when you can play video games all the time? I mean, that's "fun" as well, right?

 

 

 

Well, I don't know, maybe it's because they're "fun" in different ways. Idiot.

[Animaslayer]

IMO

 

 

 

like it or not that is my opinion

[Ledusskapis]

well i sometimes drink some beer...maybe once or twice a month...it's hard to buy some lol. I dont smoke cigarettes, but few times a year me and my friends smoke waterpipe... Anyways i dont do drugs and i hope i wount start to smoke ocasionaly...no idea about drinkin tho

[Medellin]

That's a hell of a general title.

 

 

 

Laws need to change every now and then to keep up with the times. Back then, I doubt they know half of what we know now about these 'illegal' things. Not to mention that some of these were banned for political reasons that don't exist anymore.

 

 

 

For example, drink and smoke marijuana moderately because there doesn't seem to be any significant effects. Ban cigarettes because they cause a number of cancer. Some drugs need to remain illegal. For example, cocaine can pretty much screw up your brain that you end up being a nutcase.

[darkforaster]

It seems like the general opinion is here "Don't do this, then you won't live as long." But I ask you, who wants to live forever? All the joys of old-age await those that do not live there life too the full. Arthritis, loosing control of your bodily functions, watching everyone you know your whole life die around you.... That's if a disease that you can do nothing about, even with your organic fruit and veg lifestyle, doesn't kill you first.

 

 

 

I wouldn't mind living forever, as long as my body will not age (if it did, then you would not live forever as your body will turn to dust.)

 

 

 

People can do what they want, if they want to harm themselves for fun, so be it. Unless they harm me in the process. I don't want to breathe in your second hand smoke thank you very much.

 

 

 

oh, and living your life to the full doesn't mean drinking and having drugs by the way. It means to have fun in your life. You only get one. I'll live my life to the full, yet keep my healthy lifestyle.

[venomai]

oh, and living your life to the full doesn't mean drinking and having drugs by the way. It means to have fun in your life. You only get one. I'll live my life to the full, yet keep my healthy lifestyle.

 

The thing is... alcohol and drugs are extremely "fun". When I'm high, I have a absolutely great time with my friends. Everything is hilarious and wonderous after smoking marijuana.

 

 

 

I personally agree with you. To live life to the fullest is to experience everything you can without seriously harming yourself in the process.

 

Although I'm sure nicotine, heroin and cocaine are really "fun" to be on, I wouldn't risk it because the chance of physical harm/dependence is too great.

 

 

 

Soft drugs like marijuana, LSD and shrooms are relatively safe if done responsibly.

[Mazurizi]

I'm 17, and I drink. But I only drink like a few times a year. I find the excuse, meh I'm nearly 18 so what the heck absolutley stupid.

 

 

 

If the drinking age was 19, do you think people would wait til their 18th Birthday to start drinking.

 

 

 

Personally I believe there should be stricter checks on people going into Pubs and Clubs everyday, not just especially on a weekend. It really annoys me when I get refused entry into a club and then they let 15 year old girls in to get drunk and cause more trouble than I would ever do. I am only a light drinker, and have only been drunk once (And that was at my friends house not out "on the town".)

 

 

 

As far as Cigarettes go, I'd say they're really bad. About 40% of my college class smoke, it's really hard to socialise with this 40% as they're nearly always puffing away in your face. I'm proud to say that I have never smoked and I never will.

 

 

 

Drugs are another main problem in the youth of today, I am again proud to say that I have never taken illegal drugs and I never will. Then I go play on Counterstike and there is people with names like [stoned], [Weed] <3 me, [i'm so High]. It's just not the right message to be sending out to other kids of a similar age. Younger kids of today; aged roughly 4-10 look up to 15-18 Year olds... and in Britain for the most part that is a really dangerous thing to do. They say it is only the minority that is causing the problems.... It's clearly not, but I refused to be classed as a "thug" or in the "MySpace Generation" just because I share the same age as these people.

 

 

 

Just my two pennies :)

[venomai]

Drugs are another main problem in the youth of today, I am again proud to say that I have never taken illegal drugs and I never will.

 

Except alcohol, as you've admitted to underage drinking.

 

Alcohol is a drug too, and it's far worse than soft drugs like marijuana.

 

 

 

It's just not the right message to be sending out to other kids of a similar age.

 

I agree, recreational drugs is never a good message to children. But, in comparison, marijuana is a much better message than alcohol or nicotine

[Mazurizi]

Drugs are another main problem in the youth of today, I am again proud to say that I have never taken illegal drugs and I never will.

 

Except alcohol, as you've admitted to underage drinking.

 

Alcohol is a drug too, and it's far worse than soft drugs like marijuana.

 

 

 

It's just not the right message to be sending out to other kids of a similar age.

 

I agree, recreational drugs is never a good message to children. But, in comparison, marijuana is a much better message than alcohol or nicotine

 

 

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't marijuana addictive too? I'm not the most clued up person when it comes to drugs, sorry.

[assassin_696]

Drugs are another main problem in the youth of today, I am again proud to say that I have never taken illegal drugs and I never will.

 

Except alcohol, as you've admitted to underage drinking.

 

Alcohol is a drug too, and it's far worse than soft drugs like marijuana.

 

 

 

Not strictly true, it depends entirely on quantity, quality etc.

 

 

 

I'll agree that alcohol causes more deaths, more liver disease and all round more problems than marijuana. BUT, there is a strong link between cannabis and mental illness, and the evidence for that is strengthening all the time. I'm no expert here, but I know the strength of common weed that you buy off the street is a lot higher than it used to be, and for some kids this really does exacerbate current mental conditions or create new ones.

 

 

 

I'm not particularly for or against cannabis, I don't use it, but if people want to use it then that's their decision, I just don't think you should present this false image of weed smoking being all rosy and smiles. It might not cause deaths like alcohol, but it is and does cause a lot of problems.

[venomai]

Physically speaking...

 

Marijuana is less addictive than caffeine. It's way less addictive than alcohol or nicotine.[1] Worth noting that a few studies have placed it as more addictive than LSD/shrooms. I'll try to dig up some sources...

 

 

 

Mentally speaking...

 

Marijuana (as with any drug or recreational activity) can be addicting to certain users. Some people, mainly those with very addictive personalities, can quickly become mentally attached to the feelings that you get while high.

 

This can be compared to people becoming "addicted" to chocolate or candy. Not very much physical dependence, but plenty of mental dependence.

 

 

 

I won't deny the fact that cannabis can be addicting. Some studies have even shown physical dependence in heavy users. However, most responsible and casual marijuana smokers shouldn't worry too much about addiction.[2]

 

 

 

BUT, there is a strong link between cannabis and mental illness, and the evidence for that is strengthening all the time. I'm no expert here, but I know the strength of common weed that you buy off the street is a lot higher than it used to be, and for some kids this really does exacerbate current mental conditions or create new ones.

 

 

 

I'm not particularly for or against cannabis, I don't use it, but if people want to use it then that's their decision, I just don't think you should present this false image of weed smoking being all rosy and smiles. It might not cause deaths like alcohol, but it is and does cause a lot of problems.

 

Sorry if I'm presenting the image of rosy smiles. Marijuana isn't for everyone, and it sure as hell isn't a "toy" that should be taken lightly. Just last weekend a close friend of mine had a horrible first-time experience on weed.

 

 

 

These "soft drugs" are soft in the sense that they don't cause very much physical harm/dependence. However, if somebody susceptible to mental illness takes a powerful drug like marijuana it can often trigger mental issues.[3] If you plan to take a mind-altering drug, be sure that are healthy and mentally prepared for it.

 

 

 

Cannabis isn't the only trigger to these illnesses, though. Any traumatic experience or heightened paranoia can trigger it. This includes negative effects from alcohol and caffeine.

 

 

 

It's also worth pointing out that marijuana does indeed kill, although not directly (it's nearly impossible to overdose on weed). Between 1997 and 2005 there were around 280 cannabis-related deaths in the U.S.[4] Personally, I feel that many of these injuries can be avoided by legalization and responsible use.

 

 

 

With that said, cannabis is still safer than alcohol for the general public. Alcohol's death toll proves that much. Marijuana may cause problems, but many recreational activities often do (especially sports).

 

 

 

 

 

EDIT: Just an FYI, I found some articles contradicting the cannabis-schizophrenia link.

 

http://www.illinoisnorml.org/content/view/510/27/

 

http://www.stats.org/stories/2007/do_sk ... r27_07.htm

 

 

 

A couple interesting quotes.

 

"For individuals, the current evidence suggests, at worst, that using cannabis increases lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia by one percent"

 

"increased rates of cannabis use in the last thirty years have not been accompanied by a corresponding increase in the rate of psychosis in the population"

[IGoddessI]

there is a strong link between cannabis and mental illness, and the evidence for that is strengthening all the time.

 

 

 

Using cannabis will not cause mental illness. It may, however, precipitate or exacerbate an already existing mental instability Drug use: Preventing harm, Oxford University Press (2004).

 

 

 

In the case of a user with a pre-existing schizophrenic condition, cannabis may bring out a schizophrenic episode that might not otherwise have occurred, or might have occurred at a later date.

 

 

 

And for all those "Alcohol is safer than drugs!" people, repeating myself from the last drug thread:

 

 

 

Alcohol is the third leading cause of death in Australia and second leading cause of death in Australia for women, accounting for 900 deaths in 1998 compared to 185 illicit drug related deaths (NH&MRC 2001).

 

 

 

70% of Australian children under the age of 13 report having consumed alcohol and this increases to 90% by the young age of 15 (AIHW 2002a). Compared to 40-50% of Australians aged 16-24 years who have reported trying cannabis at least once (PDPC 2002), the 10% of older adolescents and young adults who have tried amphetamines (Moon et al. 1999), the 7% of older adolescents and young adults who have tried MDMA (who mind you most users were relatively well educated and mostly employed) (AIHW 2002a), the 7% of young people who have tried chroming compared to the 2% who do it on a regular basis (Moon et al. 1999) and 1% of young Australians who have at least tried opiates (AIHW 2002a).

 

 

 

Edit - And for all those who say illicit drugs are more addictive than alcohol, there are a lot of illicit drugs less addictive than alcohol. I can't find my flippen drug psych book at the moment so statistics and percentages will have to come later, I don't trust google.

[Nom]

We already had a marijuana debate. . . It's too early for a whole new one!

 

 

 

I'm totally behind venomai and Goddess. But, I did my part last round so I think I'll stay out of this and root from the sidelines :anxious: .

[Peter]

Alcohol I'm fine with ... However, with anything smoked, I am highly, HIGHLY, against! If you want to cabbage up your life, feel free, but if you smoke anything, it's producing highly toxic smoke that can cause things like lung cancer.

 

 

 

That's a good intro for my statement... Have you, god of soup, ever heard of cirrhosis of the liver? Yeah, it's what happens when you drink too much. It's equally as bad as lung cancer, and will kill you as well.

 

 

 

Alcohol is far worse than weed, just speaking from experience. Just getting a little buzz from drinking is cool and usually harmless, but having a few too many can make someone out of control both physically and mentally, and I don't like that. The biggest reason I don't drink too much anymore is that I feel strait up stupid after a night of drinking... Among other things, simple math is a challenge, and I just can't think clearly for sometimes up to a few days. The long term effects of alcohol are even worse than this, and can make that stupidity permanent.

 

 

 

Unfortunately weed has a bad rap, and I'd say everything you hear about it is overrated. If you get incredibly high, yeah it might be like what you hear about in movies or TV where people can't feel their legs or something... But most times when people smoke, they do it in smaller amounts and it is nothing like that. I notice the opposite effects of alcohol when I smoke in the sense that I get more creative, witty, funny, and just understand things from a whole new perspective. It's kind of life-changing in that you view the world in a whole new way. I am always in control mentally and physically so it fits my criteria for a good experience.

 

 

 

I wouldn't wish for anyone to try either of these drugs for the wrong reasons. Don't do it because your friends are, do it for you, and don't do it to be cool and brag about it at school the next day. Almost every Monday of high school could be described as listening to kids talk about parties. And the pot head stereotype? That could totally be prevented. No one knows I smoke except the people I smoke with and I'd prefer to keep it that way. Society judges people for things like this.

 

 

 

Worst of all is the punishments. Getting caught under age with alcohol, if it's a nice cop, will amount to pouring it out and a verbal warning all the way up to a MIC (minor in consumption), which amounts to community service and a small fine. Getting caught with weed, as a friend of mine recently did, amounted in a $732 ticket for having a joint. That was being nice, because it's a felony in my state to possess any amount of weed if you're under the age of 21. This place is messed up.

[Mazurizi]

No one knows I smoke except the people I smoke with and I'd prefer to keep it that way.

 

 

 

Only you, your smoking partners and all the people that read this thread now :P

 

 

 

But yeah it's a bit scary looking at the table that venomai posted, weird how caffine can be more addicting than Marijuana. Well I'm learnng new things from this thread thats for sure :)