Responsible drug use
From Free net encyclopedia
The concept of responsible drug use is that a person can (for recreational, creative, spiritual, or entheogenic purposes) use a drug without it interfering in other parts of one's life and with no risk of immediate danger to oneself or others. Advocates point to the many well-known artists and intellectuals who have used drugs, experimentally and otherwise, with few detrimental effects on their lives.
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Criticisms
Critics believe that recreational drug use is inherently irresponsible (in that drug use is potentially dangerous, is a selfish or fruitless escape from reality, and is illegal in many societies) and that drugs can therefore never be used "responsibly".
The stigmatized concept of a "recreational drug" is not known to some societies. Members of the Rastafari movement, for example, use cannabis in religious rituals and some have no concept of it as a "recreational", much less "party", drug. Finally, some stigmatized and illegal recreational drugs are, in fact, physiologically and psychologically safer than alcohol, which few (in Western societies) have asserted cannot be used responsibly (although, see Prohibition).
Philosophy
The philosophy of responsible drug use—which applies to alcohol, tobacco, and medical products as much as to any other drugs—asserts that to use drugs responsibly one must adhere to the following principles:
- Understanding and educating oneself on the effects and legality of the drug being consumed
- Weighing accurate dosages and taking other precautions to reduce the risk of overdose
- Taking the time to chemically test all drugs being consumed to determine purity and strength
- Not driving, operating heavy machinery, or otherwise being directly or indirectly responsible for the safety or care of another person while intoxicated
- Having a trip sitter when taking a drug with which one is not familiar
- Being honest with others about drug use
- Not attempting to trick or persuade anyone to use a drug they are not willing to use
- Not allowing drug use to overshadow other aspects of one's life
- Being morally conscious of the source of their drugs
Critics argue that it is unrealistic to think that many people in the real world will adhere to those principles, especially youth. Furthermore, some people would still remain adamant that even someone adhering to the above principles would be behaving irresponsibly by taking drugs at all.
One reason for that is that the unpredictable, unregulated nature of many illicit drugs carries inherent risks that might not be avoidable, even with great care. Some types of drug are very addictive, and even moderate use may result in an uncontrollable physical need for an increased dosage, with possible concomitant physical and social problems. While some people may be able to use some drugs for many years without serious consequences, others may have an unexpected reaction to the drug, even on first use. A single use of some recreational drugs may cause death or some other violent reaction, including a loss of control that may result in harm to others.
Illegality
Because of the illegal nature of many drugs, quality and potency are difficult to assess, and this may also have an effect on the ability to use recreational drugs safely. Some people, therefore, argue that government decriminalization and federal oversight of drug production and distribution could alleviate some of the most significant dangers of illegal drug use. The illegality of drugs in itself may also cause social consequences for those using them. The morality of buying certain illegal drugs is also questioned given that the trade in cocaine, for instance, has been estimated to cause 3,000 dearhs in Colombia alone. Others argue that the governments are responsible for this drug war by making the drug substances illegal and therefore highly profitable.
The Responsible Drug User's Oath
The Responsible Drug User's Oath (RDUO) is an oath which is intended for recreational drug users who wish to use drugs in a relatively responsible manner, as opposed to doing so in the stereotype of a lifeless, ethically bankrupt, hedonistic and self-destructive "junkie".
Origins
The RDUO first appeared on the Everything2 website in 2001. It was passed around by email and in 2004 resurfaced in a Dextroverse forum post by the user Nitin, with minor topical improvements.
Recreational drug use: can it be responsible?
While some believe that recreational drug use is an inherently irresponsible action (in that drug use is fraught with danger, and is illegal in many societies) and therefore can never be done "responsibly", some people would disagree with this assertion. For example, many well-known artists and intellectuals have experimented with recreational drug use and, when done in moderation, it has had few detrimental effects on their lives. Some discover that they are artistic intellectuals while on drugs, and only while on drugs, but this is another issue. In addition, the stigmatized concept of a "drug" is not known in many societies. For example, members of the Rastafari movement use cannabis in religious rituals and some have no concept of it as a "recreational", much less "party", drug. Finally, some stigmatized and illegal recreational drugs are, in fact, physiologically and psychologically safer than alcohol, which few (in Western societies) have asserted cannot be used responsibly.
The RDUO provides guidelines for drug users who wish to pursue a more responsible and non-harmful (to themselves and others) drug-use lifestyle. The document suggests that drug use should be considered a legitimate personal choice, not a crime, personal failure, or societal illness.
Text of the oath
(As is common on Everything2, the text contains links to other parts of the website; they have not been included in this copy.)
- I swear or affirm that:
- I understand the effects of all recreational drugs I take, to the best of my ability. I shall research the neurochemical, psychological, physiological, spirituality effects, the legal issues surrounding the drug and its use.
- When taking a drug I am inexperienced with, I shall begin with the lowest dose suggested to be psychoactive by the aforementioned research before progressing to higher dosages. I will measure the drug carefully, with an accurate scale.
- If it is possible that the drug may contain harmful adulterants or in fact be a different drug altogether, I shall have the drug chemically analyzed for purity and content.
- I will learn the overdose limits for my own body weight and adjust them for any possible synergistic effects due to diet, prescription or other drugs. I will also adjust for dangerous side effects and my own health condition. After calculating my personal limit, I will stay under 75% of this limit, to minimize risk.
- While under the effects of a drug, I shall not take physical risks such as driving, climbing, swimming, or any other physical activity in which my actions may cause harm to myself or others.
- When first using a drug I am inexperienced with, I shall take it in the company of an experienced user, also known as a spotter. The spotter will remain sober during this experience, and will also have fully researched the drug.
- I shall not attempt to sway, force, trick, or otherwise coerce another person to take any drug; rather, I shall discuss previous drug experiences and research frankly and honestly, allowing all people to make their own personal decisions about drug use.
- I shall defend the rights of others to make educated, responsible decisions about drug use. I shall not support any person or movement that attempts to remove or abridge said rights.
- I shall not allow my drug use to overshadow or disrupt the other important aspects of my life, including social interaction, employment or even other personal pursuits.
- I will also take responsibility for the drug use of friends and relatives, if their drug use becomes dangerous to their health or personal relationships.
- I swear this with the hope of creating a society in which safe, responsible drug use is a personal decision, not a criminal offense.
Addenda
As of January 2006, other users of Everything2 have added new points:
- I understand the effects of habituation, and therefore I shall exercise caution and significantly reduce the quantity of any familiar drug I use when taking the drug in a new and different environment for the first time.
- As a drug consumer, I will embrace responsible drug production and distribution methods, such as growing or pharming your own, and shun suppliers who use violence when not necessary for their self-defense.
See also
- Addiction
- Counterfeit drug
- Drug reform
- Entheogen
- Recreational drug use
- Responsible Drug User's Oath
- Straight edge
- Demand reduction
- Harm reduction
- Psychoactive drug including section "Philosophy of psychoactive drugs"