April 13, 2006
Thursday PM

"Several years ago I had a friend who had a husband that was a little man that could only make himself feel "big" by abusing drugs and alcohol. He beat and abused her, and later their children when he was high. One day when she had gone to the store and left him home with the children he got drunk and passed out, leaving their two-year old unattended. The two-year old fell out of their apartment window and landed on his head in the cement driveway below. He has been paralyzed and severely brain damaged ever since. Would you call this not hurting someone else?" (RE: Drugs-Freedom, Tori Jackson)

This sort of thing seems to happen far too often to count. I am aware of many cases where a person chooses to use drugs at the cost of other's, often ending in death. It is a sad thing whenever a child is victim to their guardian's life-style and poor choices.

However, this is an example of irresponsibility with drugs causing a tragic outcome. It seems that this man was unable to keep his use of drugs under control. While I do not mean to undermine the seriousness of this scenario, I would like to point out, though, that had he exercised more control in his use of drugs, this specific scenario most certainly would not have unfolded the way that it did.

I really would like to emphasize that people should not use drugs, they are unhealthy, have a lot of negative side-effects and if used irresponsibly, can contribute to tragedies such as the above mentioned.

Freedom isn't free, and there will always be a negative side to any freedom we have. Freedom of speech, which many consider the most important freedom we are promised by the constitution, has caused countless problems for America. Whether it be kids picking on each other, or couples spewing hurtful words at each other in anger, the freedom of speech has been at least partly responsible for a lot of problems.

However, if used responsibly, freedom of speech can help forward technology and politics. It can offer a source of resistance to things we truly need to resist. Alcoholism, drug addiction, reckless driving...

This loosely parallels drugs, If used with discretion, drugs can offer a small get away from the stress and problems of everday life. Much like a day at a spa, or a day off spent sipping martinis in a lawn chair. There also is the potential for religious use, which when used properly can bring one to achieve spiritual and emotional well-being.

Just like with all things, we can choose to use drugs, or we can choose to not use drugs. I recommend to everyone that they choose not to use drugs, however, I don't like it when I can be put into jail because I choose to do something that 'may' hurt me in some way.

Keep in mind that introducing a psychoactive chemical into my body does not directly affect anyone else. While my actions may, these are still my actions, and as such, should be treated in the same manner as if I had not introduced the chemical into my body in the first place.

I am very much opposed to the idea of my government deciding what I can and can't put into my body, and along with that, how the chemistry of my mind will be affected.

To prevent this from getting to far into psychology and philosophy I will end with this quote:
""Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded"."

-Abraham Lincoln, Speech in the Illinois House of Representatives, Dec 18, 1840.

My condolences to the families fallen victim to irresponsible drug use.

Catlin Rettke
cat_rett_98[AT]hotmail.com
Ketchikan, AK - USA



About: Catlin Rettke is a19 year old male resident of Ketchikan, Alaska.

Related Viewpoint:

RE: Drugs-Freedom By Tori Jackson - Port Angeles, WA - USA

 

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