What is it with people and drugs?

[Buzz]

Billy Mays death linked to cocaine...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090807/.../us_billy_mays

Is there NO ONE out there who is NOT on friggin' drugs? What's so great about being high?

Like most of the teens and young adults growing up around me in the 70's and 80's, I allowed myself to try some of the different drugs of the day, sometimes to be part of the "group", but mostly to see what the hype was all about.

Pot and hash I found to be relatively harmless with an overrated "buzz" and the harsh, unfiltered smoke irritated my throat, even though I was a cigarette smoker at the time.

In the early days of 12 hour shift work, everyone used "bennies" ( I think that's what they were called) - large black pills that were supposed to help keep you awake and alert. That they did. I used to get off shift in the morning and be so wired that I would have to hit the apartment complex gym for furious, intense workouts before I would be able to fall asleep. One time, I was so tired yet wide awake even after the gym that in desperation to fall asleep, I hopped on my bicycle and tore up the streets until I was physically exhausted. Lying in bed afterwards, still awake and feeling my heart pounding like a bass drum, I decided that was it for me and bennies. I never did find out exactly what was in those things.

Acid (LSD) was widely used among the party crowd I hung out with, but even in the face of taunting persuasion from my buddies, I flat refused to even give it a try. There was this one older guy - a John Lennon lookalike, complete with the accent - who had a huge house and threw awesome parties on the last Saturday of every month. It was the in place to be and just about anything went. One of my friends knew the fellow pretty well so we were lucky enough to be on the coveted list to get past the thugs at the door. The caveat was that we had to bring chicks and that was not a problem - everyone wanted to go to these bashes and girls would offer us the world just to bring them along and get them inside.

One evening, before the party, we were hanging out at one guy's apartment, having a few beers and deciding who we wanted to include in our entourage. Out came the acid "blotters" and as usual, I declined; quite happy to stick to good old Heineken. Time came to head out and I went to the washroom, came back out and downed the rest of the beer I had left on the coffee table.

The party that night was wilder than ever. People jam-packed the house, and even though it was winter and the ground outside was covered in snow, the patio doors were left open and and the party spilled out onto the massive back deck. Getting to the kitchen and dining area which overlooked the living room for a drink meant wading through the crowd and squeezing up a short staircase. Once there you had to battle your way to the fridge or one of the big coolers for whatever you wanted.

I remember being pissed to find that the beer was finished as our group of eight had brought along three cases. Clear as day, I then recall finding myself standing in the middle of the kitchen with a circle of empty space around me. I was holding my bunch of keys in a "porcupine fist" and I had quite calmly decided that I was going to punch the next person who bumped into me. Someone must have sent for my friend Mark to get me out of there and he did manage to talk me down and lead me back out to the deck. The cold air hit me with a rush and there was a loud roaring sound ringing in my head. Trying to keep me calm, Mark explained that one of the guys, a big chubby jerk named Sid, had admitted to dropping a blotter of acid into my beer earlier at the apartment.

The owner of the place was sympathetic and just happy to see me coming around, but I was furious and quietly scanning around to see if I could spot Sid. I saw the bastard standing just inside the patio door looking to see what would happen. I took off after him and he hightailed it through the crowd, heading for the front door. I got my hands on him just as he opened the door and he fell forward onto the step. I landed a few punches as he tried to crawl away while people pulled at me from behind. I grabbed onto his belt and his pants came down to his knees. He was crying like a baby and I managed one last good, solid kick in the ass before they dragged me back inside. That incident and the sobering thoughts of what could have happened if I had actually hit someone with the keys only served to cement my resolve to stay the hell away from drugs. Except for one other time.

A couple of years went by and I was doing very well. I was pulling in well over 100k $CDN a year which was damn good money for a 22 year old single guy back in the early eighties. I had a big, very well decked out bachelor pad in a great apartment complex and a fairly steady stream of girls and drinking buddies came and went through my door. The refinery business was in full swing and there were many young people like me - making good money and enjoying the hell out of life. Coke became the drug of choice in the party crowd and though most of the people I partied with still smoked pot and hash, they splurged on the expensive white powder on a fairly regular basis. I witnessed some promising, bright people who had the world by the ass slowly slide downhill through broken relationships, work performance problems and financial crises. I had long since written drugs off as a waste of time and money, and I just couldn't see the big deal about being stoned.

One friday night about 1:00 am I was returning from driving a girl home - it was mid summer and the sky was still relatively bright. Walking across the parking lot, I heard someone shout my name. I looked way up and there were two old buddies of mine whom I hadn't seen in 3 or 4 years. Jeff, a big Ukrainian roughneck and Dave, a quieter scientist type had left with their respective families a couple of years after we all finished high school. They said they were back in town, working at the plant and had decided to throw a party and blow their first month's salary. Wide awake and still in a mood to party, I happily headed on up. By the time I got up to their floor, I had already psyched myself up with visions of good music, hot women and cold beer. After all, two guys blowing an entire month's paycheck had to mean one wild party, right?

Wrong!! Instead of my vision of the perfect party, what I found was two wasted guys in a barely furnished apartment, blaring acid rock and a rough, hooker-looking looking female passed out naked on the tattered couch. When I asked them what happened to the party, they said "This is it, man!" and when I asked where the people were they said they had something way better. Slapping a beer into my hand, they motioned me over to a small, round glass and rattan dining table and proudly told me to feast my eyes.

I saw more cocaine on that table than I had ever seen in one place in my life and immediately realized where all the party money had been spent! They were genuinely hurt and bewildered when they saw that I was less than impressed and they literally could not believe I had no intention of partaking of their generous narcotic banquet. They razzed me for writing off the cocaine experience without ever having tried it and kept at me to at least try a tiny snort. Considering that I was among friends and only two floors above my own apartment, I decided to relent and try a very small amount, just to see what was so great about this wonder drug. They set up a small line and handed me a rolled-up bill. Fighting a natural revulsion against inhaling foreign matter, I snorted the stuff up. They looked at me expectantly, waiting for a reaction. I myself waited for something to happen but I felt nothing different other than a cold sensation in my right nostril. They said I was "fighting it" and I assured them I was not as I was curious to see what the stuff was all about. They persuaded me to try another line - bigger this time - and the same thing happened - nothing other than a cold right nostril. It had absolutely zero effect on me and I laughingly told them I definitely could not ever see myself wasting a dime on the stuff, let alone a few grand. like they did.

That was 25 years ago this month and now back home in the Caribbean, I have never touched any kind of recreational drug since, Heck, I don't even like regular painkillers and I quit cigarettes cold turkey ten years ago with surprisingly no difficulty whatsoever. I did get a double dose of morphine, though, at the hospital a year or two back as I gave birth to a kidney stone, but that did nothing for me either and I went through the experience at full pain intensity. I passed three other stones after that and didn't bother with the hospital as I knew what was happening and I preferred to deal with the discomfort drug-free in the comfort of my home instead of on a hospital bed with two useless doses of morphine in my system. The story about the pain of labour making a mother bond to her child seems to have some merit though as I just can't bring myself to toss the little suckers in the garbage. I kept them all save one which was sent to Miami for analysis. That almost felt like sending a kid away to college and I occasionally catch myself expecting a letter or a phone call just to let me know how things are going. Minor dietary adjustments seem to have cured the kidney stone issue now, thank God.

That was a long tirade - I believe I'm developing a tendency to ramble when I write. I hope that's not some symptom of getting older - you know, like those elderly folks who go on and on forever about all kinds of stuff almost as if you pulled a cord or something when you said hello. I guess what I'm saying is I can understand a bit of experimentation with drugs when a person is young and foolish, but I cannot for the life of me understand a grown man or woman having such a passion for getting high that it becomes a lifelong, life-shortening obsession.

Thanks for hearing me out.

[blykins]

Anyone that had a full head of hair and a beard that looked like that, was definitely on something.

The deal is this...people can't handle the stress of being famous. They have the world at their fingertips, yet they lack something very important. So they try to escape through drugs and alcohol.

[Bill Bess]

It's simple, drugs make you feel good, and weak minded folks that don't have personal rules and convictions get involved.
To me, it's something that you just decide within yourself...will I or won't I?
It's like eating too much or eating just enough...all a personal choice.

It's unfortunate...drugs are just bad and will screw up your life. Great story Buzz, it's like many I've known over the years, glad to see your the smart one.

Bill

[Buzz]

Brent, we've all heard the rich and famous whining about how hard it is to be loaded with money and adored by thousands as an excuse for drug abuse and other bad habits. I don't want to buy it, though. What about the non-celebrity types like the ones we all grew up with? They want to be excused because of how tough it is not to be rich and famous.

In spite of all the mainstream negative publicity about drugs, it seems like a large percentage of people wink and nod "Yeah yeah it's bad for you" but in reality acknowledge it as the thing to do. Sort of like knowing that having oral sex with your wife or girlfriend is against some archaic sodomy laws still on the books, but you know damn well you'll be doing it anyway.

It's simple, drugs make you feel good, and weak minded folks that don't have personal rules and convictions get involved.
To me, it's something that you just decide within yourself...will I or won't I?
It's like eating too much or eating just enough...all a personal choice.

Bill, I think you have it at least partially nailed. People find that it feels good for some reason to be dizzy and confused (or they derive pleasure from participating in something that's "in") and they don't have the will to set limits. The eating analogy is a very good one, although I know people with the discipline to train and stay in great shape yet they still abuse drugs. Michael Phelps comes to mind as an example.

[Dan40]

Buzz,
I don't agree with you much, but do here. Some people are much more susceptible to habit and/or addition than others. Drugs provide the 'escape' that some "require" in their lives. Pot might not be 'addictive' but that escape is addictive for some people. And all the other drugs get progressively worse.
I tried pot, it gave me vertigo and made me upchuck. My logical mind said, "How many laws should we break and how much money should we spend to get vertigo and throw up?"
Solved that drug problem.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by Dan40

Buzz,
I don't agree with you much, but do here. Some people are much more susceptible to habit and/or addition than others. Drugs provide the 'escape' that some "require" in their lives. Pot might not be 'addictive' but that escape is addictive for some people. And all the other drugs get progressively worse.

Hey - even night and day have some common ground around sunrise and sundown Dan!

I feel strongly about the psychological addiction vs. the chemical addiction to some of the milder drugs like pot and tobacco. I quit cigarettes cold turkey at age 38 after smoking steadily starting in my early teens. I finished my last pack and never looked back. Afterwards, I experienced no shakes, withdrawal or mood swings. The hardest part was deciding what to do with my free hand when I was out talking and social drinking. The cigarette was such an ingrained part of my person that for a while, I had to keep my hand in my pocket for lack of anything better to do with it once it no longer held and flicked and gestured with a cigarette.
With alcohol it's very similar. I like beer and wines and I have a particular love for champagne. I like the taste of my preferred brands and have no desire to drink for the sake of getting drunk. If I am out and there is nothing that I like to drink, I won't endure beer or wine that doesn't taste good and I will be quite content to drink water. If someone ever invented a non-alcoholic beer that actually tasted good, that would work for me.

I tried pot, it gave me vertigo and made me upchuck. My logical mind said, "How many laws should we break and how much money should we spend to get vertigo and throw up?"
Solved that drug problem.

I hope that didn't happen at a party in front of the big boobed blonde you'd been dying to ask out for a date! Talk about crash and burn!

That logical mind or the will to use it is what many seem to lack when it comes to drugs.

[trularin]

Did I make a wrong turn or something??

[Dan40]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Hey - even night and day have some common ground around sunrise and sundown Dan!

I feel strongly about the psychological addiction vs. the chemical addiction to some of the milder drugs like pot and tobacco. I quit cigarettes cold turkey at age 38 after smoking steadily starting in my early teens. I finished my last pack and never looked back. Afterwards, I experienced no shakes, withdrawal or mood swings. The hardest part was deciding what to do with my free hand when I was out talking and social drinking. The cigarette was such an ingrained part of my person that for a while, I had to keep my hand in my pocket for lack of anything better to do with it once it no longer held and flicked and gestured with a cigarette.
With alcohol it's very similar. I like beer and wines and I have a particular love for champagne. I like the taste of my preferred brands and have no desire to drink for the sake of getting drunk. If I am out and there is nothing that I like to drink, I won't endure beer or wine that doesn't taste good and I will be quite content to drink water. If someone ever invented a non-alcoholic beer that actually tasted good, that would work for me.



I hope that didn't happen at a party in front of the big boobed blonde you'd been dying to ask out for a date! Talk about crash and burn!

That logical mind or the will to use it is what many seem to lack when it comes to drugs.

RIGHT down her cleavage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(.)(.)
NOT my ACE move!

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by blykins

Anyone that had a full head of hair and a beard that looked like that, was definitely on something.

Asscuse me? I have a full head of hair and a beard like that (albeit with a bit of grey) and I ain't on sh!t. Just naturally gifted.

I have to admit, I laughed my ass off when I read about Mays in the paper Sunday morning. Wife had to pound on the bathroom door to find out if I was ok. Of course he was on coke!

Buzz...pretty sure many of us had some similar stories. I know I do.

But we made it...some don't.

[cobra de capell]

My belief is that most people are simply 'chippers' (a non-addicted, casual drug user) that can take it or leave it. Unfortunately, more than a few people are wired to turn out addicted to drugs once they start using. In other words, it's really a brain wiring thing versus life circumstances when hard chore drug use is involved. Plus, depression and all kinds of mental scenarios push people over the edge.

[Buzz]

Jamo, I always thought it was Billy trying to do the Jamo look but blykins sez it's the other way around. Can you do the voice impression too? It could be a viable club act - you know...if the lawyer thing doesn't work out...

BTW - I imagine my stories are tame as hell compared to the ones some of you fellas could tell.

Dan - SLAM DUNK!! Holy shyte man...But sometimes the strangest things get a girl's attention. Did she ask you to marry her?

cdc, I agree that wired-in succeptibility has got to be a factor. I just like to hope it's not THE major factor though, because that would mean there's not a lot that could be done to address the problem. If a big part of it is a conditioning/behavioral issue, then education, awareness, deterrent and rehab strategies - not to mention good old parenting and discipline - have a chance of making a dent.

[Jamo]

A Billy Mays' voice impression? How hard is it to yell?

[rustyBob]

Buzz there people out there that just can't handle everyday life and need something to get them through,a beer, a joint, a line of coke and that in there mind is what get's them through life some people use and some abuse there all different kinds of addicts out there and there "drug" of choice is what gets them through good times and bad times and it dosent make a difference to them when or where they get it or use it.Booze, drugs,sex,porn,gambling. it's all out there to be abused by someone.

[Paul F]

Thanks to the baby boomer generation, illegal drugs are socially acceptable. The boomers are further enhancing the problem by taking for themselves, and giving to their children, prescription drugs for every malady.

[blykins]

Originally Posted by Jamo

(albeit with a bit of grey)

That's what I'm talking about.....this man was middle aged and looked like he had a black piece of carpet wrapped around his head.

[392cobra]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Asscuse me? I have a full head of hair and a beard like that (albeit with a bit of grey) and I ain't on sh!t. Just naturally gifted.

That's right.Billy would never have been able to pull off the Plumber's Crack look.

[Bobcat]

I believe Dan40 made the comment that pot may not be addictive ... and I agree with that , however , I also feel it is a gateway drug for the hard stuff . A good friend`s son started off on pot and then decided he wanted more and stepped up to crack . I watched that boy go from a fun , productive young man of 180 lbs to a non functional scarecrow of about 130 lbs . He chased me down one night ( took him 5 miles to catch me ) just to "borrow " $10 for "gas" . He also almost destroyed his parents and wiped out what savings they had trying to help him .
I have ZERO tolerance for drugs and anyone who uses them !
Yes , I agree that there are some people who are predisposed to abuse drugs/alcohol ... but drugs have been proven time and again to be so destructive , why even try them ?.... and I grew up in the 60`s drug culture , and never had anything stronger than alcohol ... and , yes , I know that is also a "drug " . Today , I drink very little , other than a glass of wine or a COLD beer after cutting the yard . I can`t stand the pain the next morning of the good time I think I had .

[Bobcat]

I believe Dan40 made the comment that pot may not be addictive ... and I agree with that , however , I also feel it is a gateway drug for the hard stuff . A good friend`s son started off on pot and then decided he wanted more and stepped up to crack . I watched that boy go from a fun , productive young man of 180 lbs to a non functional scarecrow of about 130 lbs . He chased me down one night ( took him 5 miles to catch me ) just to "borrow " $10 for "gas" . He also almost destroyed his parents and wiped out what savings they had trying to help him .
I have ZERO tolerance for drugs and anyone who uses them !
Yes , I agree that there are some people who are predisposed to abuse drugs/alcohol ... but drugs have been proven time and again to be so destructive , why even try them ?.... and I grew up in the 60`s drug culture , and never had anything stronger than alcohol ... and , yes , I know that is also a "drug " . Today , I drink very little , other than a glass of wine or a COLD beer after cutting the yard . I can`t stand the pain the next morning of the good time I think I had .

[cobra de capell]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Jamo, I always thought it was Billy trying to do the Jamo look but blykins sez it's the other way around. Can you do the voice impression too? It could be a viable club act - you know...if the lawyer thing doesn't work out...

BTW - I imagine my stories are tame as hell compared to the ones some of you fellas could tell.

Dan - SLAM DUNK!! Holy shyte man...But sometimes the strangest things get a girl's attention. Did she ask you to marry her?

cdc, I agree that wired-in succeptibility has got to be a factor. I just like to hope it's not THE major factor though, because that would mean there's not a lot that could be done to address the problem. If a big part of it is a conditioning/behavioral issue, then education, awareness, deterrent and rehab strategies - not to mention good old parenting and discipline - have a chance of making a dent.

If you look back, access to drugs has produced a lot more addiction - I had a brother that became addicted early in life - it was something to do (sex, drugs and rock & roll, primarily sex) but life went bad because of it - he got himself cleaned up and never went back. He died recently from complications from that period of time. Such a waste! In his case, he wasn't wired to become addicted - it was an elected lifestyle, resulting in the way out being his choice versus brain wiring with no way out.

It's my understanding that 'meth' use, even one time, can produce addiction - so, that's a whole different craving scenario that has kids addicted really young. Now that stuff gets to your teeth.

[Wayne Maybury]

I have consumed my share of beer over the years (OK, maybe more than just my share) and I like a glass of wine with a meal but I have never done any drugs and I do not plan on starting now. I have only smoked a hand full of cigarettes (mostly when I was 14) in my life and only a few cigars to celebrate the birth of a child or some other excuse after drinking too much beer when I was much younger.

We all know of many lives that have been totally ruined by drugs but I have never heard of just one instance where consuming drugs actually turned out to be a good thing.

Wayne