32 Arrested During Drug Sweep in Wilkes-Barre (professionals, moving, office)

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by MatildaLoo

I don't either, and it is funny to joke around about it. Some people need to lighten up on both sides of this debate.


Christ, go watch a Cheech and Chong movie or something.

This isn't a matter of “lightening up” for me. You have some very good, insightful post. It is just that I have known people that became wasted over the years. Yes; it could have been a combination of both alcohol and pot? But, regardless, they stopped functioning as productive members of society. Cheech and Chong were not great roll models. “Bad Teacher” is another very bad roll model. Our movies have glorified the use of drugs and the sale of drugs.

Although most of the time I feel there is no hope for us to survive; I still think we should try (my optimistic side). I fought the casinos coming into our state. I have always worked for safer (drug free) roads. I don't like the changes we have recently that made in our alcohol laws that make alcohol more easily available. The harder it is to do destructive behavior; the fewer people that will become addicted. That is why I was happier with the only casinos in Atlantic City. Yes; we still had addicted gamblers – but most made it only a weekend trip.

By the way; I would support the use of medical marijuana – with strict controls. California is not a great example. But, no, I do not want to see people living in pain if there is something that we could do to help their suffering. I also support euthanasia with the proper consent and supervision.

Respectfully we will keep this as a subject that we disagree.

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by fisheye

This isn't a matter of “lightening up” for me. You have some very good, insightful post. It is just that I have known people that became wasted over the years. Yes; it could have been a combination of both alcohol and pot? But, regardless, they stopped functioning as productive members of society. Cheech and Chong were not great roll models. “Bad Teacher” is another very bad roll model. Our movies have glorified the use of drugs and the sale of drugs.

Although most of the time I feel there is no hope for us to survive; I still think we should try (my optimistic side). I fought the casinos coming into our state. I have always worked for safer (drug free) roads. I don't like the changes we have recently that made in our alcohol laws that make alcohol more easily available. The harder it is to do destructive behavior; the fewer people that will become addicted. That is why I was happier with the only casinos in Atlantic City. Yes; we still had addicted gamblers – but most made it only a weekend trip.

By the way; I would support the use of medical marijuana – with strict controls. California is not a great example. But, no, I do not want to see people living in pain if there is something that we could do to help their suffering. I also support euthanasia with the proper consent and supervision.

Respectfully we will keep this as a subject that we disagree.

While I respect people's right to their feelings on the subject, please do not mistake levity with apathy about substance abuse. Most any substance can be abused - from beer to pot to food to video games. Most of the population is able to use these things without going down the abuse road. Some cannot. For those who cannot, I offer all my love and support to their recovery.

My father died in his 40s of alcoholism. I understand painfully well how substance abuse can kill the person long before they die. I know how families and relationships, well basically one's whole life, will be changed due to substance abuse.

I cannot continually condemn the substance that killed my father, because it was HE who had the issue with it. I know too many people who drink socially and keep it at that. Due to a variety of reasons, he could not.

I find humor to be a comforting salve in the face of a truly depressing subject. I don't expect you to joke about it, but please don't think I don't care or understand the gravity of the situation.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

While I respect people's right to their feelings on the subject, please do not mistake levity with apathy about substance abuse. Most any substance can be abused - from beer to pot to food to video games. Most of the population is able to use these things without going down the abuse road. Some cannot. For those who cannot, I offer all my love and support to their recovery.

My father died in his 40s of alcoholism. I understand painfully well how substance abuse can kill the person long before they die. I know how families and relationships, well basically one's whole life, will be changed due to substance abuse.

I cannot continually condemn the substance that killed my father, because it was HE who had the issue with it. I know too many people who drink socially and keep it at that. Due to a variety of reasons, he could not.

I find humor to be a comforting salve in the face of a truly depressing subject. I don't expect you to joke about it, but please don't think I don't care or understand the gravity of the situation.

My father also suffered from alcoholism. Fortunately he did give up drinking in his forties – but it did leave scars that followed him to the grave many years later.

I just don't find these subjects humorous. There have been too many lives destroyed. I understand that it is impossible to lock up everybody. I just don't think that we we should give the appearance that we condone these paths to self destruction. I just want us to lead by example.

[MatildaLoo]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

While I respect people's right to their feelings on the subject, please do not mistake levity with apathy about substance abuse. Most any substance can be abused - from beer to pot to food to video games. Most of the population is able to use these things without going down the abuse road. Some cannot. For those who cannot, I offer all my love and support to their recovery.

My father died in his 40s of alcoholism. I understand painfully well how substance abuse can kill the person long before they die. I know how families and relationships, well basically one's whole life, will be changed due to substance abuse.

I cannot continually condemn the substance that killed my father, because it was HE who had the issue with it. I know too many people who drink socially and keep it at that. Due to a variety of reasons, he could not.

I find humor to be a comforting salve in the face of a truly depressing subject. I don't expect you to joke about it, but please don't think I don't care or understand the gravity of the situation.

I'm tired and feeling less than verbose today so I'll just say "Ditto." I was making an (apparently very bad) attempt at humor again.

Fisheye I have a lot of respect for you and I apologize if you felt insulted by my comment.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by MatildaLoo

I'm tired and feeling less than verbose today so I'll just say "Ditto." I was making an (apparently very bad) attempt at humor again.

Fisheye I have a lot of respect for you and I apologize if you felt insulted by my comment.

You did not insult me – my skin is way too thick to get insulted. I didn't mean to pick on you or single you or Magritte out. These are just very serious subjects that can and do kill people. I'm just voicing my opinion and you do not have to agree with me. I don't agree with myself sometimes!

Have a great day!

[theatergypsy]

These last few posts are the perfect example of civilized discourse. Both sides presenting their opinions (and feelings) and while minds were not changed, battle did not ensue. How nice to know neither side pro-fessed to be an "expert" and accepted the other side's position.

As far as legalizing drugs is concerned, oxycontin is legal. It is a prescription only medication intended to relieve severe pain. But it has been conscripted by people who are on the wrong side in the war on drugs. Just goes to show that legalization does not necessarily preclude abuse.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by theatergypsy

These last few posts are the perfect example of civilized discourse. Both sides presenting their opinions (and feelings) and while minds were not changed, battle did not ensue. How nice to know neither side pro-fessed to be an "expert" and accepted the other side's position.

As far as legalizing drugs is concerned, oxycontin is legal. It is a prescription only medication intended to relieve severe pain. But it has been conscripted by people who are on the wrong side in the war on drugs. Just goes to show that legalization does not necessarily preclude abuse.

It is a good thing that you brought up the misuse of legal drugs! I have also fought against the use of these on our roads. Here is one link that talks about many of the problems with over the counter medications: Prescription Drug Deaths Increase Dramatically: Scientific American Unfortunately it does not go into detail on traffic deaths – but it does mention the problem. I had several links to studies on my old computer (which died from overdose of virus).

Getting back to this thread – it would be interesting to see a followup on how many of these dealers and users are still in prison? We do know that many times we see headlines like these and days later everybody is back on the street.

Have a great day!

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by fisheye

My father also suffered from alcoholism. Fortunately he did give up drinking in his forties – but it did leave scars that followed him to the grave many years later.

I just don't find these subjects humorous. There have been too many lives destroyed. I understand that it is impossible to lock up everybody. I just don't think that we we should give the appearance that we condone these paths to self destruction. I just want us to lead by example.

I think all of us have some subjects that we just can't joke about. I respect that this is one of yours.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

I think all of us have some subjects that we just can't joke about. I respect that this is one of yours.

Maybe I should have just kept my yap shut? You and Matilda have every right to exercise your free speech. It is just that I have been fighting these battles for so long that I don't know when to quit.

Have a great day!

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by fisheye

Maybe I should have just kept my yap shut? You and Matilda have every right to exercise your free speech. It is just that I have been fighting these battles for so long that I don't know when to quit.

Have a great day!

You too! (And no, you shouldn't have kept quiet!)