Posted by caleb462 on October 19, 2003, at 0:21:31
In reply to Opiates: Addiction, etc., posted by Jack Smith on October 18, 2003, at 17:22:04
> I don't have any strong feelings on this issue and have never used opiates except for toothaches but here is a perspective on this issue that differs from the ordinary, it's quite interesting.
>
> http://www.reason.com/0306/fe.js.h.shtml
>
> I do not endorse the views in that article but neither do I refute them.
>
> JACK
Doesn't really suprise me. The problem with opiate/opioid addiction is not the drugs themselves - but the laws making them illegal. Before the drugs were made illegal, lots of folks were addicted to opium tinctures and the like, and had no problems from their use, probably only enhancements.Indeed, most of the chineese who slaved away at building our railroads were addicted to smoking opium. Some theorize the only reason they were able to tolerate doing grueling work under horrible conditions was their opium.
These drugs have a horrible reputation, but they are actually some of the safest drugs around (when in pure form, and except in overdose). They don't cause one to lose total self-control and end up hurting others like say, alcohol.
Granted, street heroin is a bad route, a very bad route. But folks need to realize that it is more the LAWS that are the problem, and not the drugs.
"Its not on a war on drugs, its a war on personal freedom"
-Bill Hicks.
poster:caleb462
thread:270119
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031015/msgs/270716.html