To think people are naive re cocaine

There are two ways to solve the problem. One that works and one that doesn't. You talk about all the problems but you don't seem to want to solve them.

The fact is that it is illegal now so it doesn't make anyone who take it less of a cunt if the misery only occurs because its illegal.

The illegality extends the whole length of the supply chain. So those who argue for legalising it in Europe and the US would still have to deal with illegality in producer countries. And legalising it there would not lead to improved conditions for the small farmers. Just look at the Central American coffee producers.

Are you making the same argument about images of child abuse and rape? Just legalise it and the problem will be solved?

The misery is because it is illegal. There is no more reason why cocaine production and distribution should cause misery than sugar production and distribution.

The reason why cocaine is cut with other drugs is because it is illegal.

If you make something illegal it is because you want to make it less available. Sometimes that doesn't work at all.

Spot on. Anyone who watched the documentary on how cocaine is made and the absolute misery it causes from first production to up your nose at a dinner party and still takes it has no morals or heart.

How old are you @AliceMaforethought ? Do you take coke alone?

Thanks for replying, but it sounds like you don't know what the solution might be. You've described how we have hit rock bottom.

I'm afraid there's nothing you've said that's shaken my belief that, since we've hit rock bottom (after decades of trying the same approach over and over), we need to try legalisation alongside robust education and safety nets plus regulated and safe supply.

Which is not, incidentally, incompatible with staying tough on black market supply anyway. We could feasibly keep the laws in place which put black market producers, importers and dealers in prison. And even (potentially) still fine users who buy on the black market or maybe make them attend a 'The truth about black market drugs' course like the speeding course I have to attend in a few weeks.

It is common now. It has become really easy to get hold of. When I was in my 20s, you needed to know where to buy drugs. Now you just buy them online from what I've seen.

Anyway, most people I knew at university did some drugs, but they all gave it up when they became proper grown ups.

Now, proper grown ups do it too. I personally think it's nuts. It's so bad for your heart. If you're 21 you get away with it, but these big grown ups with stressful work and kids etc, necking wine and doing a few lines? Honestly makes me shudder. I have a few doctors in my immediate family and they say if anyone under 35 comes in with anything heart related, their first question is if they do cocaine.

I'd be "floored" if my husband started doing it absolutely. It may be more common to do it in your 40s now, but it is still really weird (to me) and I would worry about his heart and blood pressure. Wine on its own is bad enough tbh.

Edited to fix typos
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Hi - the image is that of a middle class drug, and that's part of the problem. It really isn't, and those middle class dinner party goers, who have exhausted the high from excessive drinking, three cars and nowt in the fridge, being all edgy and enjoying doing something illegal behind closed doors and swinging, yes, it's also common, have sought the next buzz.

I'd love to show them who brings it in, how it's transported and how it ends up at the comfy house on a Saturday night.

I'd like to think they'd be shocked, but I'd probably be wrong.

And, as for legalisation, having watched Johnson at the Covid enquiry and current political cross party shenanigans, I'm not sure I'd trust any of them with the Saturday big shop, never mind legalisation of controlled drugs.

Oh, and if you're using cannabis at home to any regular degree, your neighbours will know about it and, once a cop visits on any sort of enquiry, it's incredible what they talk about over a nice cup of tea.

As the lovely Nick Ross once said, 'don't have nightmares' folks, and stay safe.

Good that he's an ex.

I'd have zero time for cocaine.

If someone was under the influence of cocaine, you might spot it, you might not.

It's not always obvious of course.

I'm sure I do work with people that do drugs, I doubt I would notice personality changes but there are other signs that would give it away.

You could always try the vape which has no smell but the green light might give you away😉

If only this were true. (Spotting coke heads a mile off)
My ex was not obvious. No aggression or dilated pupils.
He seemed to be more 'on it' more intentional and the biggest thing was 'not grumpy' when I think he was using. Sniffing all the time with a runny nose certainly.
I either didn't want to see it or missed it completely until the mood swings became too much.

So your actual point is that you can spot someone doing coke even if you work with them because it does cause personality changes - which is exactly what the OP was saying isn’t true.

Unlike smoking which only your partner knows about and supports

No thank you admittedly trying to understand your posts has given me a headache given how lightheaded smelling next door makes me now I will give it a pass!

Plus I could just buy a CBD drink legally in Sainsbury’s and save my lungs

I do think I'm better than others because I don't drink, smoke or do drugs.

Of course. Is that what you were getting at because it goes without saying....

If we were colleagues etc, you would never know 😃

A coke head though, can spot them a mile off.

I think you sound like you could do with a little spliff.

So he knows, so your partner knows and does it too.

My boyfriend gets it for me when he gets his.

And your supplier?

if you are that prolific a smoker somebody knows that is the whole naivity of the thread that people do know

cannabis is the least harmful of all the drugs including nicotine and alcohol so doesn’t bother me at all but to say no one knows and it doesn’t have an effect on your simply isn’t true though

I don't enjoy his 😄

If the PP who smokes cannabis does it at someone else's place, comes home washes clothes and changes, I can see why nobody would suspect her unless they happened to bump into her walking home.

I remain friends with a prolific 'stoner', been friends since school. Whenever I visit her I am paranoid driving home becuase her whole house smells of it. But she smokes it all day, I'd probably smell like I smoke it too were I to encounter someone before I threw my clothes in the wash, having just returned from her house.

It would definitely make it a lot more expensive, I think I said upthread that there'd likely still be an illegal market for it. It wouldn't be a solution to all of the issues it causes although it would likely reduce them. And quite possibly create some new ones.

Haha okay, you've interpreted her posts quite differently to how I did.
I do think It's a lot more common than a lot of people think.

I don't think everyone is on it nor do I think every cocaine user is fine.

The cow probably enjoys the aroma..
Sounds peaceful.✌️

My next door neighbour is a cow, think I'm safe unless it learns to talk.

They know, and if they don't know, they're suspicious.
Not judging, it is common around here, the constant smell wafting.