As a Drug User

[Autonomy]

and having no other particular claims to being an oppressed minority, might I suggest, LEGALIZE IT!!!

Please support me and others like me!

I am sick of buying off the streets. I could function a lot better were it not for the laws pushing me into the hands of sociopathic dealers. I am a highly educated, mostly-functional member of society. I could do a lot better if I had better choices. Illegality of a substance is NEVER a condition of my own personal action. It is as if the law crosses me, not vice versa.

I did a couple days in jail a few weeks ago. At one point, I was the only white guy in a cell with 30 black men. At no point did I feel threatened at all. I've been in jail before. There is ALWAYS an overwhelming number of black men in there with me. Only the COs are abusive.

This time, one of my cellies said, "I wish I was white, then maybe someone would come and bail me out."

Then he said, "Nah, I am glad I am black."

I was just glad someone was coming to bail me out.

None of these guys did anything worse than I did. None of them, from what I could tell, were societal predators. They all, or most, came from what we call "the ghetto".

I am not under the illusion that lifestyle does not present a signifincant factor in the jailing of black men. It does. But the point that liberals must accept is that our choice, as addicts, is not much more than the choice of the GLBT community that we champion. If you want to ask me about me personal experience on this matter of choice, feel free, but please do so respectfully.

I've been denied medical care on occasion, and been ridiculed by medical staff at hospitals. The fact is, I might never have been there in the first place were it not for legalalities. I am not a narcotics addict, so I've never had to deal with overdose. My major medical issue tends to be the result of a sweeping judgmentalism. But that might be just for me. I cannot speak for anyone else.

I do not mean to wander across topics. I did not mean to post about this subject EVER on this website. I am currently employed in a company that requires *Top Secret* security clearance for its employees (yes, such a thing exists, for those who don't know).

It's just time we recognize the next level of persons who are who they are, and reject calls, based on 19th century moralism, that what we are is simply a matter of choice.

I know I was born this way. I could do a lot better in a society that was more accepting of me. Not all addicts are thieves and sociopaths. Some are turned into that. Some, like me, resist it, no matter the cost to ourselves.

Thanks for reading my first ultra-personal diatribe on DU. After all these years.

REPOSTED from another thread, because I thought the topic is deserving. We, so many who do the majority of jail time, need your help!

[EOTE]

1. I feel for you.

I've had my share of experiences with extra-legal substances myself and it sucks the way that we treat them in this country. Can I ask about how your Top Secret Clearance works with you being an addict? I might be interested in getting a job in the future requiring TS, but I never thought I'd have a chance because I have an occasional toke. I thought that they were super strict about drug use when providing clearance.

[Autonomy]

2. I would suggest

emphasizing your loyality to the country. But I've not passed yet, so I can't say for sure. I am not applying for an FBI position. I'd never pass that. But just because I have an addiction does not mean I am disloyal.

It's a tough sell. Your main problem, in my quick estimation, is that, if you smoke marijuana (I don't) that you won't pass a company drug test. Those tests are very stacked against pot smokers, due to the the nature of THC solubility.

[vadawg]

3. I would think the jail time would be a no no

Many times a week i process people with top secret etc and their fears are for their jobs, lots of DUIs etc, we advise them that if its a one off theres no problem but if they keep coming through the system then their empoyers etc may see it differently. Now if your an addict then you need help and mayby some jail time to wake up.

[Autonomy]

4. This is exactly

the mentality I am talking about.

[vadawg]

5. lol and i gotta say your mentality is exactly

what i deal with all the time, you all but admit you have a problem and im the bad guy because i think you need to get it sorted. lol

[sendero]

7. The only problem..

.. most drug users have is you. Moron.

[vadawg]

11. lol, the only problem most addicts have

is that people like me stop them stealing shit and robbing people without consequences moron.

[Autonomy]

15. I can say for sure

that I've never robbed you, because I've never robbed ANYONE. And I am far and away the statistical norm in that regard.

[ixion]

17. if people steal, they should be charged with theft...

it is people like you that contribute to the destruction of the social fabric by blaming a particular subset of drugs for society's trouble.

[ZombieHorde]

25. Do you believe that most drug addicts steal shit and rob people without consequences?

[Poor Richard Lex]

26. What a croc of shit

get off the drug war teat and get a real job

[vadawg]

30. no thanks, ill keep the real job i have now

you just keep believing the utopia crap that all addicts are harmless misuderstood people who wouldnt harm a fly.

[Autonomy]

8. Do you advise that gays get straight? n/t

[vadawg]

31. wow now you equate yourself with the lgbt community

i thin the difference is there is a choice involved, you have decided to live your life one way, whereas the other is not a choice.

[RedCappedBandit]

23. Prison helps people get their problems sorted out?

"lol"

[4 t 4]

6. If it was legalized

you could Never afford it, don't you think ? Our lovely government would make sure of that.

[Autonomy]

10. No, quite the contrary

the illegaility causes additional expense. Look at Netherlands. But that's not the issue.

[ZombieHorde]

24. Why do drug addicts need help and jail time to wake up?

[Mike 03]

9. Important topic. Some drugs, I agree, are probably better off legalized.

But NOT all.

[trof]

12. As an addict of two 'legal' drugs, I agree.

Alcohol and tobacco are my two 'vices'.
Luckily, I am (and have been for many years) on a 'maintenance' program that works quite well for me.

I do not drive while drinking, although I do admit to DUIT (Driving Under the Influence of Tobacco).

Since both of my drugs can still be purchased over-the-counter, I am under no threat of incarceration.
Some would change this.
More for the tobacco than for the alcohol.
I am taxed more for the use of this legal product than any of you are for anything that you consume.
But we are evil people, so that's OK.
:eyes:


American media and societal propaganda has successfully made us pariahs.
Since it appears that we must have a segment of society that we can despise, and one that is practically defenseless, now it is us.
Racial bigotry is no longer acceptable.
So we are the new niggers.

All the "Don't blow smoke in my face and I won't fart in yours" Righteous Indignant Holier Than Thous are welcome to weigh in.
I am confident that you will.
And have a nice day.
:-)

[Mike 03]

13. Good points, Trof. NT

[Autonomy]

14. Much of drunk driving would be reduced

if purchase of other illicit substances were legal. I know this is personally the case.

[liberal renegade]

19. you get no argument from me! n/t

[Mike 03]

16. You deserve great respect for your honesty, too. NT

[liberal renegade]

18. I'll admit it!

I'm a functional pothead going on 30 years, like my GLBT brothers and sisters, I'm sick of being persecuted.

[Ioo]

28. I would ask that you please retract that... Pothead not Equal to GLBT.. You have choose, and can wed

Not trying to be an ass, you are welcome to smoke and poke whatever you want... but you and I are not the same... unless you are gay... then you are a gay pothead :)

[liberal renegade]

29. you missed my point!

You are correct. I made the choice to be a pothead. All I'm saying is I know what it feels like to be looked down upon. No retraction.

[Fumesucker]

20. I really, really hope you aren't expecting Obama to do anything about your problem..

Just like teh gay, you are to suck it up and quit yer' whining.

Fuck, I actually had a DUer tell me the other day that my family member doing long hard time for a non violent "drug crime" should be glad he has a roof over his head and three squares a day.

Never mind that a lot of non violent criminals who are incarcerated basically have to become a violent prisoner's "boyfriend" to keep from being killed.

"Shit on my dick or blood on my knife" is how it's put quite often.

[Autonomy]

27. good question

No, I'm not counting on Obama's executive administration to do anything in my regard. My hopes for Obama's admin are generally for the recognition of other peoples' rights. What I do hope for, however, is a general understanding... a groundswell... eventually... but I harbor no illusions... such an eventuality might not come within my lifetime. And science may provide a cure before society relinquishes its judgment. That is assuming, like gays or autistics, that we want a cure.

[MarkInCA]

21. I agree with others who said some drugs

Obviously there are some that can do serious damage on first use.

I think one of the biggest tragedies in this country is that pot is illegal while alcohol and cigarettes aren't. I don't suggest that alcohol and cigarettes should be illegal, just that it is insane that pot is.

Having used all three substances, I can say that pot was by far the least problematic. Cigarettes cost me way too much money and alcohol has landed me in jail. When I smoked pot I was smart enough to do it in my own home or when in a situation that I would not do something stupid. Wish I has made the same decision about driving drunk, it nearly ruined my life.

[RedCappedBandit]

22. Word

:hug: