Justifying taking cocaine?

[josephinebonaparted]

Just seen on another thread that there are a number of posters with kids (and presumably a decent income to afford it) take cocaine recreationally, or hang out with those who do.

Can I ask how they reconcile supporting the cocaine industry, which must be one of the bloodiest and most inhuman trades in the world? Is there a ‘fair trade’ option? Is it because it doesn’t really matter? Or something else?

I appreciate this is going to come across judgy, and I am trying to understand different perspectives. I remember reading about the beheadings, torture etc done in the name of drugs gangs and I don’t know how I’d be able to take coke and feel morally at peace.

Just out of interest do you have an iphone? Or buy things from Primark?

The conditions workers in China face aren't really all that different to drug gangs around the world.

But you wouldn't think of that because you bought it from a shop so it couldn't possibly be bad!

Those in glass houses

I did my fair share recreationally before kids came along. Now that I’m a parent the opportunity doesn’t really present itself and I don’t feel right about it now. I don’t look down my nose at people who still do the odd drug with paid whilst kids are in bed upstairs, but I am a little surprised at their relaxed approach and find it difficult to think that they don’t feel differently about it all now that they are parents. But then I’m using my own standards and try to remember that it’s foolish to view others or expect the same from others.

I never used to think about where the drugs were produced. I was 22-25, having a grand old time with my mates. And yes it was the same complacency as tucking into a kebab or burger (though prob not in the same night as a few Es or a few lines ). If my kids do drugs, I would want their health to be at the forefront of their minds over and above the downstream impact of the purchase of their party supplies.

As I’ve matured I’m more aware of global, environmental and economic situations yet still don’t feel the need to justify any of my choices. I just try not to be hypocritical.

I do snigger when my some of my naice friends have the odd sniff yet are judgmental about their neighbors who warm the car for 5 mins in the morning, or boycott the likes of Nestle whilst enjoying their nespresso

It’s consumer society vs individual responsibility. Not an easy battle. It’s the world we live in and relevant to respect that everyone has their own moral thresholds.

No, they don’t think about it deeply. My ex was an ex addict when I met him. He didn’t care how it got to him, who might of suffered in the process, or who suffered while he took it. His main aim was to just get off his face and enjoy himself. He also did it while his children were staying sadly.
I know some people down the local pub that take it. They don’t care either as long as they’re having a good time.

I blame the politicians and others with vested interests that make it illegal and therefore encourage the criminal side of things.

Legalise drugs and suddenly it will get rid of the nasty side of it

McT123
😂😂😂😂😂

I can almost guarantee that you have all purchased something made in a Bangledeshi sweat shop.

I did an essay on them at uni. Children put to work. Families torn apart. Deaths.

But the end product is bought legally.

Any parent who takes cocaine around their children and thinks they don’t notice, or that they are unaffected by it, are fucking deluded.

They are. I was.

araiwa do you seriously think legalising a harmful substance like cocaine and the other stuff is the solution to the world drug problem?

Yes I judge people taking any kind of drugs for recreational purposes for being an active part of a horrible criminal worldwide network and for being stupid to resort to recreational drugs. I have zero tolerance when it comes to drugs (and over consumption of alcohol for the purpose of having a good time as well actually).

One of my old friends has kidney failure as a result of dabbling in this shit in her twenties. Never heard of the connection before this. More people should be aware.

I know a cocaine user who is also very into animal rights and veganism. I do judge.

Yes i do

Thats why i said it

I cant think of anyone disadvantaged by cocaine and all drugs being legalised other than the criminals currently involved who would obviously be made redundant

Ive never tried crack. Its illegality had no basis on this decision. If it became legal tomorrow, id still never use it. The idea that people dont do stuff because its illegal is laughable. At 16 it was easier to get hold of weed than beer- cant remember any dealers checking id

You may be able to argue that those industries are more ethical, OP, but I think you are assuming people have looked into it/think about it more than they do. I don't think many people engage with products that have been made out of exploitation or cruelty because they have weighed up the pros and cons and come to the conclusion that it's on the whole a positive thing - they do it because they are not thinking about it.

Surely everyone understands that the degree to which you apply a moral compass to what you do/buy is not yes or no, but more a point on a line? Somethings you are personally comfortable with and some seem 'too bad' for you to feel ok being part of, and some are so bad you judge those who consume them?

If a valid argument is you cannot judge people who use cocaine because you buy coffee and coffee can (and is) produced unethically? Then a valid argument is that you cannot judge people who watch snuff movies because you buy leather shoes and leather can (and is) produced unethically?

That would be a ridiculous state of affairs and none of us lives without causing harm to the environment, animals or other people. So instead we must 'draw a line' somewhere and the OP has drawn a line at the illegal drug trade.

Sweatshops are evil but the idea that they = a trade that uses indiscriminate land mines and beheadings to protect their product is a bit to me.

Besides, quite apart from the impact on the wider world, it would also seem reasonable consider a parent to be irresponsible who knowingly does something they know carries the risk of being arrested/jailed and the subsequent impact on their children, for nothing more meaningful that a fun night.

@McT123
Please be my friend

@josephinebonaparted

Not justifiable!

@imgonflirtwiththedevil you know her post was a joke right?

Same way the porn industry and sex work gets justified, I suppose.

This is a better comparison than the fashion industry in my view.

There are more and less ethical ways to purchase clothes, there is no ethical way to purchase sex or cocaine. It isn't like weed that you can grow yourself.

Don't criticise it
Legalise it

Unfortunately prohibition doesn’t work and the only way to end this would be legalisation.

In terms of industries though the oil industry is awful, as are blood diamonds, sweatshops, factory farming, to name just a few.

It’s pretty difficult not to buy into some very immoral trades.

I don't understand why parents who take it aren't more concerned about their mortality. It could literally be rat poison or something they're allergic to.

Drugs are for mugs .. simple but true

Well, if you've seen the working conditions at the iPhone factory, many of us wouldn't be able to post on Mumsnet either. Or the prison labour that was uncovered making Tesco charity Christmas cards this year. Or...

Unfortunately, there is abuse and torture in a lot of industries, and a lot of ones we support without really realising it. Just some of them raise people's blood pressure a bit more at the thought of their partner doing them - doing cocaine or watching porn vs. buying an iPhone or a card for his mum.

Personally, I don't do coke, but I don't care that much what other people do as long as it doesn't affect me (though I don't know many who do anymore). I do have a problem with torture and trafficking, but I'm not naive enough to pretend that is limited just to drugs and porn and sex work.

Don't know or don't care, I think.

When I make a bit of money from matched betting, I know that that money ultimately comes from betters and gamblers, including problem gamblers. I've decided, for my reasons, that I don't care.

Whataboutery.

Whataboutery

I don't think anyone's really sayng "what about?", though. They're just saying the reasons are similar.

Why do we buy electronics made by slave labour in China?
Why do we buy clothes made in sweatshops in Bangladesh?
Why do we buy petrol that wars are fought over?
Why do we buy beef whose farming is killing the planet?
Why do we buy cocaine, whose production is rife with bloody murder?

The answer to all of the above is pretty much the same, isn't it? We like those things. We feel like we need them. And we disassociate ourselves from the source.