Drugs:Fact and Fiction/General
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Responsibility - This is a very important word. One that you must take to heart if you wish to expand your conscience and soul safely. While many drugs themselves are quite safe, the actions of individuals on them are often not. It is because of this that many myths are spread about drug (ab)use.
If a drug is used irresponsibly, the user may find himself awakening in a padded room within the confines of a straight jacket, in jail, or worse - they may not wake up. Responsibility ranges from having a sober trip-sitter to watch over you and prevent you from doing anything stupid or dangerous, to limiting yourself from performing these actions. Very few drugs cause a person to lose grip with themselves and reality. The drugs that do have this effect should only be taken within the safety of a house or apartment, and always with a sober sitter.
With that said, here are general things to keep in mind if you are going to be using drugs recreationally:
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[edit] Don't
Remember that you always have a choice. Nobody is forcing you to take drugs. It is always an option to say no. Also remember that many drugs are addictive and because of this an experiment might become an addiction.
[edit] What are drugs?
Usually when you mention the word "drugs" people think of illicit drugs. There are a number of drugs which are legal in some jurisdictions and illegal in others. For example tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine are considered illegal drugs in some places. In other jurisdictions Marijuana is legal.
[edit] Know Your Limit
First and foremost - Don't dive straight into the deep end if you've never swam before. You will quickly drown in your own ignorance. With the exception of Marijuana, all drugs should be gradually introduced so that you become familiar with their effects, dosages, and how to react to them. Nobody takes three hits of Acid their first time. The same respect should be given to all drugs.
[edit] Know Your Substance
Before you begin to indulge into new psychoactives, take some time to research it. This guide is a good starting point. You should also go to Erowid.org and read up on dosages, safety, and most importantly, experiences. Become familiar with what others decribe the drug as being like so that you know what to expect.
At the same time, try to find people in your area that have used the drug many times. There is a good chance that they will have a reliable dealer who can get you a clean dose. Never buy from street dealers, there is always a possibility that you will get something that is laced which could lead to dangerous drug mixes, overdosing, and experiences that you are not prepared for. Remember that because drugs are illegal this means they are more likely to be mixed with other drugs and chemicals so as to increase profits and avoid detection.
[edit] Be Responsible
I think its easy to say that being an asshole on a drug is going to wind up with your ass in jail, and a bad name for drugs. Don't be a general idiot and you won't draw attention to yourself. This applies to alcohol as well. If you don't stand out, nobody - including cops - will pick you out from the crowd.
[edit] Trip Sitters
Unless you are drinking or smoking some bud, you should have a sober person to watch over you. Sober doesn't have to mean abstaining from everything - Bring some weed along so that they can enjoy themselves while looking out for your safety. On many short acting drugs, users can take turns being the sober sitter.
Sitters should be well versed in the drug that is being taken. They should know how to calm down someone who is having a bad-trip, and they should be able to quickly assist anyone who may be wandering into harm's way.
In short, on any drug, don't act like an idiot. If you do, you deserve the consequences that come to you. This is called natural selection.
[edit] What to do when things get out of hand
Make sure that you have access to a working telephone (Not a cell, batteries die). Also keep your local emergency numbers available. Make sure you know:
- How to get an ambulance.
- Where the nearest hospital emergency room is and its opening hours.
- What you are taking.
- Your local poison information number.
If you have a problem make sure your trip-sitter takes a sample of what you were using with you to the hospital. Also make sure they know what quantity and what method you used to ingest the substance. Before you use any drugs, always think of the consequences to yourself, your family and friends and society. Why should society pay for your emergency treatments in hospital?
