To think far too many people in UK & elsewhere are making stupid decisions about drugs and ignoring the consequences re county lines, criminal gangs etc?

[Jane379]

I found out recently about the huge amount of cocaine in London sewage system. I knew there was a problem but was suprised how bad it was.
I read up on the situation a bit more and was shocked to find that Sweden & Belgium are apparently both concerned that the government starting to lose control to drug smugglers, problems are also rising in the Netherlands with journalists and lawyers mmurdered. Use also is rising in Norway especially among youth in Oslo etc.
AIBU to wonder what on earth people buying illegal cocaine & others are thinking?

A lot of the time it's not people in hugely depressing and difficult situations (not that this is an excuse, but I could understand the motive more) but people who are comfortably off, at least materially and surely could find other forms of stimulation?
It's well known that these drugs are addictive, and even if people aren't addicted and only use occasionally, why are so many happy to enable county lines, suffering in Mexico and others, violent criminal gangs etc for a temporary high? I've seen some users on here justify by saying the harm comes because it's illegal but that's dodging the question as for the foreseeable future they are illegal and buying from the gangs sustains the trade.

But the thing is drugs like heroin have to be imported from quite a distance so that was a major feat tbh when most of the world was in lockdown. I don't like drugs but have to admit that's impressive work.

Good post. I do think ppl handwave a bit about cannabis because they did a bit when they were young and it didn't do them any harm and it's not seen as dangerous compared to other drugs. But people being trafficked and enslaved in the UK to grow is a real issue. It's on our doorstep - organised crime which we've imported here due to demand.

I do laugh a bit at the horse tranquiliser stuff on this thread - it's a bit hyperbolic. It's used in emergency medicine and for children (as its very safe and children don't experience the dissociative hallucinations). Using ket recreationally is addictive though, I don't think that's talked about enough.

Lots of these drugs are relatively cheap as well. Compare to what you'd spend on a night in the pub, a gram of coke or eighth of weed or a couple of pills compares very well. And if you buy more then the cost comes down. The economics of it is an issue too.

Now I'm not saying we should make alcohol cheap again because it's a poison and addictive but people are drinking less these days. I don't drink any more (I don't take drugs either just to say) and i think a lot of these drugs are seen as cheap and fun tbh.

Disturbing thought...definitely shows the efficiency of these gangs..

Agree re cannabis.

Also agree about price : unfortunately too many people well into adulthood apparently prioritise 'cheap and fun' over the suffering caused elsewhere & the crime & trafficking it brings here. True also that alcohol is more expensive so they may be using these as a cheaper alternative. Legalising weed with controls might alleviate a bit but obviously coke etc can't be legalised.

Re ketamine: I don't know much about its use as a horse tranquiliser etc but I do think the worry is warranted - apart from it being addictive, 'ket bladder' has been increasing among teenagers.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-68826392

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy5137re4gvo