To think there's an unfair stigma around recreational drug use?

[janef001]

I have a female friend who recreationally uses weed, ecstasy and xanax from time to time. They live in a houseshare with two other women.

Last week one roommate couldn't find an Apple Watch and asked my friend if they've seen it. They said no. My friend went to sleep later during the day and overheard the other two downstairs saying "I think x must have taken it for cash, you know she does drugs all the time."

My friend was upset to say the least and especially when the roommate later found it in the next day at the bottom of her clothes hamper near the washing machine.

I know these attitudes aren't uncommon and I've heard my own family who are quite educated express them. I understand the devastation addiction causes but many people take drugs apart from weed and alcohol and don't end up stealing from friends/family/roommates.

I wonder why there's still such a strong stigma

I agree that drug laws are not evidence based and that illegal recreational drug use is stigmatized way more than legal drug use.
Around 90% of the world's population is addicted to caffeine. Alcohol has awful implications for health and criminal behaviour. Tobacco is extremely addictive and terrible for health. Ecstacy is relatively safe and doesn't create a chemical dependency. Oxycontin is prescribed by doctors and ruins lives in the same way heroin does.
You won't find a nuanced approach on Mumsnet though and it's a good point that supply chains are more exploitative for most illegal drugs.

You are never going to be able to have a rational discussion about drugs on here, or just won't happen.

There needs to be a balanced, sensible view on drugs and not the drama filled bollocks you get on here if someone does a pill now and again.

The assumption that everyone who does drugs is an addict who will rob you for their next fix is ridiculous and pathetic.

“Unfair stigma” 😂

I agree with legalisation and quality control to a point (worry about how it would be used) especially with cannabis

my main issue with illegal drugs is the network of criminality - especially the criminal exploitation of young people - around growing, moving and selling drugs - that ruins lives as much as drug use

Because most drug usage isn’t ‘recreational’ - it’s an addiction.

Xanax shouldn't be being used as a 'recreational drug' for starters.

It is also highly addictive.

I actually think they might have thought the same thing if the friend was a notably heavy drinker. My friend’s family member is an alcoholic who stole from various people.

Stealing to find a habit isn't 'recreational'.

*fund

The thing is, the chances of recreational drug users actually becoming addicts aren’t exactly low. And every single addict starts out in denial, and if anyone criticises them about their habit they are genuinely bemused as to why. Maybe she has stolen before, or is showing signs of addiction?

Do you have any evidence for this?

I mean, people have a lot of negative opinions about those who use legal stuff like alcohol, tobacco and even caffeine

I must have lived a very sheltered life because I've never encountered a single person who had a moral objection to caffeine.

The fact that drugs are illegal and given the people behind the supply chain it stands to reason that anyone who does illegal drugs is choosing to mix with some pretty shady individuals, and that due to the fact they clearly condone the trafficking and other associated criminal activity behind the drugs trade, anyone who takes illegal drugs has pretty questionable morals.

Plenty of people who abuse alcohol to the point it affects their behaviour are also worthy of stigma, but that has to do with the use of the substance rather than behaviours behind the acquisition of said substance, since alcohol can be bought legally.

I wouldn't assume that people who smoke a bit of weed or take ecstasy on a night out would steal. I don't know a single person who has stolen anything because they needed money for drugs. Though the people are not a representative sample of the population.

I'd be more judgemental and cautious when it comes to heroin or cocaine (especially crack) because from the couple of times I've taken crack I could see how addictive that might be. Don't know about xanax.

I must have lived a very sheltered life because I've never encountered a single person who had a moral objection to caffeine. I wonder if they’re referring to e.g. people who drink gallons of energy drinks such as monster and the like.

To be fair my caffeine use is not recreational!

No-one in their right mind would say the war on drugs has been successful so if supply chains are you main bone of contention then you should be pro-legalisation and regulation.

On the basis that none of the drugs you mention are particularly expensive (I spend about £20 on an evening’s worth of MDMA, for example, significantly less than I would on alcohol in an evening) it seems a bit weird that your friend’s immediate assumption would be that anyone who takes those drugs must be stealing to afford them. They’re not exactly bank breakers.

Mormons and seventh day Adventists do. I think some other Christian sects as well.

A family member of mine takes drugs ‘recreationally’. He’s been banned from driving after being caught driving whilst high, lost his job as he then had no license and his teenage son refuses to see him. Illegal drugs mess up your life in one way or another.

I also know someone who works for a county lines team within the police. The grooming and abuse these kids go through is horrific. A kid someone is being exploited so your friend can have her recreational drugs.

A family member of mine takes drugs ‘recreationally’. He’s been banned from driving after being caught driving whilst high, lost his job as he then had no license and his teenage son refuses to see him. Illegal drugs mess up your life in one way or another.

He was an idiot for driving under the influence, but there's no more likelihood of doing that than driving while drunk.

Comtesse - are you sure you want to bring logic to it?

This, I dabbled when I was younger but when you realise the misery your good time is causing other people it should be a wake up call. So yeah theres a good chance when you are doing a line at a dinner party it was partly transported to you by a 12 yr old. I don’t think it’s immoral from a getting high perspective.

Your bottle of Sancerre probably doesn’t involve anyone being murdered or child exploitation.

Drugs are evil and people who use them tend not to be the best either.

I didn't used to be so anti them until they landed me in hospital for my bipolar for the first time 20 years ago. And that was just from having a boyfriend who occasionally shared a spliff with me or something. I never even bought drugs but that was enough to land me in hospital.

It is not an "unfair stigma." Don't be ridiculous.

Substance abuse is the cause of a lot of social problems and crime (many people may steal to fund their addiction), as well as medical problems.

Although I do drink a limited amount of alcohol, I can also see that this too could be included in that category. As could cigarettes due to the nicotine addiction and the problems they cause.