To think people are naive re cocaine

These threads always bring out the naive. I can guarantee almost everyone knows someone who has the odd line of coke or a spliff on a weekend, they just don’t broadcast it to those who don’t.

Of the people I know who indulge occasionally, most are teachers.

I really don't give a shit that they are functioning people with full time jobs -I hope everyone of the selfish counts get a taste of the misery their 'fun' habit inflicts on so many others.

You sound like a total prat.

I'm aware of how common it is, but something being common does not make it right. The drug industry causes devastation to so many, including children. I work in a school and have seen first hand some of the issues with children getting caught up in county lines. I am sick of arguments that consist of 'everyone else is doing it too.' I wouldn't accept that from a child and it's no better coming from an adult.

I don’t think I’m naive, I just think my social circle has better things to do. I literally don’t know anyone who takes cocaine, and I don’t consider that a bad thing, and I don’t think taking it or knowing people who take it makes you cool or edgy or in a particular place to “educate” me. I’m well aware of the horrific impact of cocaine production, smuggling, and dealing, and I don’t want people who are willingly to feed money into that in my life, thanks, and I’m happy to be considered a naive stuffy bore if that’s what it takes!

I agree, society is definitely becoming stupider.

Every addict began as a recreational user. Do you have any studies that show how many people use without causing any problems at all, compared with those for whom there is a negative impact? Do you have anything objective to indicate the likelihood of becoming addicted/a problem user? Do you have a way of identifying which recreational users are going to develop problems? Because without all this, you cannot really risk assess meaningfully or argue the level of harm with any conviction.

Isn't crack actually cocaine?

Ok I saw the previous discussion on this now.

I wouldn’t call people who don’t know anyone who does cocaine naive, I’d call them normal. Yes, I’m sure there are plenty of idiots who do recreational drugs but there are also plenty of people who don’t. I’d actually call those who do take recreational drugs naive, they’re the ones kidding themselves that it’s not damaging their bodies.

I think it's not a surprise it's been so normalised in some circles. People seem to have no hesitation at all about taking drugs or having surgical interventions for even the most silly and banal of reasons. Even where there are more serious reasons they don't seem to worry much about things like side effects, long term issues, interactions with other medicines. The chance of some kind of reaction or cock-up with botox and fillers etc.

I think society is just becoming stupider and more fake daily so why not do coke.

How would you know? You do realise people are individuals and drugs affect people in different ways. How do you know how often they are using, what their usual behaviour is? I’ve never met someone with a drug habit that hasn’t affected their behaviour in some way and I am old. I knew people who were doing coke in the 80s, it was rife in clubs and the behavioural changes were completely obvious to everyone. I’m not talking about one-off episodes but habitual use.

A few years ago I was utterly shocked when friends were going off to the pub loos in 2s and 3s to take cocaine. We were holidaying in a lovely seaside town with a group of DH's friends, going for walks and eating brunches. Then come afternoon beer garden drinks, suddenly lots of them were at it. I had no idea this had become the norm. One of the main instigators was a police officer!
I knew people did at on nights out at university, including my husband before we met, but honestly this type of afternoon socially acceptable taking was mind blowing. From that experience I'd say I can well imagine it's going on in far more places than some people realise. Opened my eyes for sure.
That said, DH knows my feelings and all I can do is trust he's telling the truth when he insists he doesn't join in. It's not just the addiction, behavioural aspect but the effect on the people who make and sell it.

You'd think so called intelligent, professional people would have the ability to make better choices. It is disappointing.

I had this argument with someone once, both cocaine users all acting holier than thou because they had called the police on someone shoplifting - I would argue their crime is much worse!

A friend of mine worked for a very well-known big publisher and was staggered when a casual conversation revealed that one of her junior was the go to person for cocaine, and she was supplying half the staff.

We hear about huge drug busts, and that doesn't include the stuff that gets through! Who do you think is using it, if not ordinary people?

But what is the point of this thread? For you to act all ‘cool girl’ and sneer at the mums on mumsnet about how supposedly sheltered they all are?

Drugs killed my brother (successful, handsome, well liked and loved), many of his 'friends', caused significant behavioural issues, broke down relationships, caused issue's in families I hope most of you never have to experience, destroyed their health, caused mental health issues that can never be solved or made better, and I could go on. All drugs have a great potential to harm, just because some have never 'seen' it doesn't mean it's fine, it's not! They fuel crime. It's not something that happens in those I share space with, and I'd like far more random testing across all of our society.

@Knockonw00d naive to think not my family , not my dh . Not my friends, not my work colleagues .
Naive to think it doesn’t effect daily life or upset your brain .

This. Everyone YOU know does it. That says a lot about you. No one in my family or social circle does.

It's everywhere and it ruins lives. Lost jobs, children, homes, relationships. Users might not be robbing grannies, but they'll manipulate and steal from their family and friends. It is shameful and a stain on society - and I say this as someone who tried it once upon a time before I understood the grim reality of it for all concerned. I automatically think a great deal less of anyone who takes it.

I found out that some people I very occasionally went out with used cocaine. I removed myself from the group. I do not believe anyone in my social circle has EVER used cocaine and wouldn’t socialise with if I found out they did. I don’t believe it’s at all acceptable.

In my mid 20s it I wasn't common in my immediate friendship circle but there some guys I knew more loosely in my wider circle that took it. It definitely had an impact on their behaviour and I eventually left that social circle completely as I found it unsafe and unhealthy largely due to the influence of these men which caused a lot of drama . There was a lot of unhinged and aggressive behaviour from these same coke head men including one who was an alleged rapist but kept evading the law despite multiple accusations from various women. This one man was very aggressive with me one night at a party and I had to hide in a bathroom.

My friends I have now who are mostly friends I’ve know since uni and ones I’ve met living abroad don’t take it , we are all from quite traditional backgrounds - most don’t smoke and some don’t even drink but a few take weed. As far as I know their partners and friends don’t take it either.

I don’t think you can assume everyone is being naive when they say it’s not in their social circle. If I don’t see it or hear of it I can only go on what I know so I think it’s a reasonable assumption that it doesn’t go on.

I think it’s an appalling drug for the reasons pp have set out and if I did know anyone taking it I’d definitely say something unless we weren’t close.

I do agree it’s very common in some circles though.

@Knockonw00d

no idea what jobs they do but my dd is paranoid about breathing in second hand weed smoke, she’s not risking her career, her reputation and her housing etc for a night of partying I can tell you. I can’t speak for all occupational testing but she’s once had them test 2 Mondays running to stop that behaviour, and someone got caught (this was 6 years ago) nobody is chancing it. You do hear of military and police failing but they tent to be young and naive

Never touched it don’t associate with people in these kinda circles !
you must be brain dead to go down this route like how boring you are u that u need to take drugs to have fun !