To take recreational drugs in your 50s

[Isthisokdoyouthink]

Just that really. Bunch of married fathers going out and taking recreational drugs (concealed up one of them’s rectum) - one hid it from his wife, one has a wife that does it too, the other I don’t know.

What do you think?

AIBU to feel a bit eurgh about it and a bit like they never grew up?

YABU - it’s fine. Each to their own

YANBU - it is a bit yuk.

I wouldn’t find this attractive in a partner at any age, but I couldn’t care less what other people chose to put in their bodies. I think all drugs should be legalised.

What I can’t stand is the sanctimonious “oh won’t someone think of the abuse in the supply chain” bollocks (plenty of it on this thread I see) while people gobble down fast fashion in quantities way beyond what they need, don’t question the gold or diamonds in their jewellery, or the rare mineral in their iPhones and oh if you knew about the avocado industry!

Someone at a gig wearing Zara and M&S clothing but abstaining from drugs on moral grounds isn’t really much better than someone at the same gig wearing sustainable hemp made by fairly compensated local monks but they have MDMA up their bum 🤷‍♀️ None of us are perfect. It’s the system, not the individuals.

This amazes me. You can see what the widespread availability of drugs is doing to society, especially vulnerable youngsters. For that alone I’d have no time for anyone who cares so little about the damage being done just to get something up their nose

You're ok thanks.

@Aworldofwonder I don't feel anyone here is saying drugs do no harm. I don't buy into that theory of no harm. I understand some people will say that for various reasons.

Not this rubbish again. Leah Betts did not die from taking ecstasy. She died after taking ecstasy. Because she drank 32 pints of water. Because of misinformation of how to stay safe when taking drugs. She died of that. And that is on the government of the time refusing to engage with young people on the issue of drugs and instead taking a draconian approach. It’s why we have initiatives like FRANK from the government now.

Exactly this. Not the brightest bulbs on the Christmas tree who take recreational drugs is it? And anyone who defends it needs to give their head a wobble!

Really?

My parents and their friends were all heavy weed smokers - also well-off and professional - and they were all so slow and stupid when smoking. I feel like protracted weed smoking really dumbs people down.

It's ok Nicola, I wouldn't be hosting that event personally.

100% agree! Well said.

Where on earth are they going in the uk where they need to plug it up the bum - prison?! 🤣 inside your shoe usually suffices. I reckon that one just enjoys a bit of bum fun.

I’m amazed how common it is. I’m nearly 60, I’m not into drugs at all but I’d say I’m in the minority amongst the social circles in mix in. And these are not flash wealthy people,

Im talking about long term married couples with adult DC who regularly take pills or cocaine on a night out. People with decent jobs, families, normal average middle aged people.

It’s not just the supply chain is it though.

spend a night in a&e and see the massive cost to the health service drugs cause. Anything from someone that high they need 2 cops babysitting them, instead of being out “catching criminals”, to prolonged periods in ITU costing tens of thousands per night.

rule of thumb is anyone under 30 presenting with a heart attack has cocaine or similar on board. That’s how common it is.

Two words- kinder egg.

Given the location of the drugs, that alone is a deal breaker!

In my studying days, too many people were almost lost in the zombie vortex to weed . It became difficult to socialise or have relatable experiences with a fair few in the end.

Most just grew out of it and didn't want to suffer the side effects and all other issues come time to get a job!

tbf, there was another girl who did die as a result of taking ecstasy in the Midlands in around 2000 (not long after LB) – she had a heart attack (cause of death on certificate was that this was caused by ecstasy).

The vast majority of people who take ecstasy / mdma do not die, however it does happen.

I realise that - but the likelihood of her drinking 32 pints of water in 90 mins, had she not taken ecstasy, is pretty small.

The inquest concluded that her death resulted from water intoxication leading to hyponatremia, causing fatal swelling of the brain; it was suggested that the ecstasy tablet may have impaired her body's ability to regulate water balance

I work with people who have serious addictions. Very vulnerable people who have been exploited by the drug dealers or the people who “use” them when they have became addicts. All of them started as recreational drug users. The whole drugs trade is so sleazy and I say that because I see first hand the damage and hurt it causes people daily.

Leah Betts didn’t die from taking ecstasy. She died from drinking 32 pints of water after taking ecstasy.

& many, many more people suffer from
hypothermia as a result
of alcohol consumption that from ecstasy. So no ecstasy isn’t “risk free” but it is also no riskier than alcohol.

Her friends said she drank so much because they’d all heard that’s what you needed to do to stay hydrated and safe. She was forcing it down. If the government had just provided education to young people (as they do now) it would simply never have happened.

And ‘suggestions’ without evidence don’t amount to much other than fearmongering campaigns.

@Whatsgoingonherethenagain I believe alcohol use is the biggest drain on A and E and related services.

They trialled drink vans in parts of London years ago to try stop so many people going to A and E at weekends. Alcohol is such a disproportionately huge problem that is often overlooked.

I am not saying drugs aren't problematic. I'm simply talking about proportionality.

No I don't agree.

That's like saying a 20 year old woman being charmed by a smooth talking married man is as bad as a 40 year old falling for the same bollocks. You've got more life experience and should have better judgement.

here are the numbers. 79 people died in 2023.

people do die from mdma. It’s not drinking too much water or contaminated pills. It’s the mdma. It can case heart attacks, malignant hyperthermia, and as op said can cause the body to stop being able to regulate water and electrolytes.

people I know who do smoke weed are not very well educated, and are a bit dim

This makes me chuckle. When I lived in Oxford knew loads of university students smoking dope.

I’ve spent the night in A&E it’s usually full of people who have drank too much alcohol.

& how much does smoking and obesity cost the NHS? Drug addiction costs a helluva lot less than alcohol, smoking or obesity. & what about people doing any sort of risky sport? Horse riding? Ski-ing? I think if we go down the “cost the NHS” route we are digging ourselves a rather large hole.

Also if drugs were legalised then this becomes much less of an issue. The supply chain is cleaner. People take drugs more safely (clean needles, less reluctant to call for medical help when needed, people are more aware not to let someone drink 32 pints of water in 90 minutes after taking ecstasy etc). You tax the drugs and use that tax to fund addiction services.