Principal finds 94 ecstasy tablets in 15-year-old's bag

[hard]

Let me ask you, why is supplying cigarettes legal if they're dangerous? because the gvt has a stake in this, it's a business that is regulated by the law. Drugs hide from the law so they a deemed dangerous.

Well of course. The law (at least the statutory part of it) has always been a political tool considering it is determined by Parliament. It is a reflection of the policies and desires of whichever party is in power at the time.

exactly, it's not whether what's more dangerous for society, it's how the people in power can best benefit.

The "danger to society" bit, while still true, is probably more of an excuse for Parliament to legislate against it. They can't very well say "we're gonna make it illegal cos it doesn't bring us moneyz"

well politicians speak a different language.

[hard]

 The fact is it's dangerous and can cause serious long term harm.  

"so can your mouth wash and your sexy tan a long with the make up that you may be wearing according to http://www.safe2use.com/health/cosmetics.htm."

So what? We should look at legalising a dangerous drug simply because their are other products on the market that may also be dangerous.  I don't agree.

i never said i want it legalized, i'm just correcting some misconceptions.

[suenoga]

 The fact is it's dangerous and can cause serious long term harm.  

"so can your mouth wash and your sexy tan a long with the make up that you may be wearing according to http://www.safe2use.com/health/cosmetics.htm."

So what? We should look at legalising a dangerous drug simply because their are other products on the market that may also be dangerous.  I don't agree.

i never said i want it legalized, i'm just correcting some misconceptions.

Ok, but why would it matter the danger of Marijuana in relation to other substances? The fact is it's a very dangerous drug.

[costargh]

You are exclusively talking about cannabis and nothing else. Of course if you researched anything, you'll find that there are negatives associated with it, it's just weed has been portrayed to be such a dangerous substance when really, comparing to many other things we use day to day, it isn't much different.

Exactly!

[brendan]

drugs need to be legalized.

[hard]

... but many other legalized drugs are dangerous too, so why should weed be treated any different? and no the fact is, it may be potentially dangerous to some users. Don't say something unless you're certain and it ain't a VERY dangerous drug. You don't see cunts on weed and going on a murder spree or dying off it. When that happens, you come tell me. But i do see sleeping drugs causing harmful effects even though they're legalized and can be bought OVER THE COUNTER...

. One study alone that surveyed over 2,000,000 people, found that chronic use of sleeping pills are as deadly as cigarette smoking.

GABA actuation is also responsible for impaired physical ability. Each year, thousands of traffic deaths, accidents and falls (especially in the elderly) are attributed to sleeping pills

http://www.lighttherapy.com/sleeping_pill_danger.html

[costargh]

The point at question here now is fairness. You can't treat some products in one way and other in a differnt way if the outcomes of their consumption are likely to have similar effects (or in this case, the legalised drugs outcome having a WORSE effect).

Of course the related products have a place in this argument.

And anyway, who are we to tell people what they can put in their own bodies?

[Flaming_Arrow]

The boy's inner-city school principal saw him arriving late for school about 11.30am yesterday and demanded to search his bag.

that's  a bit random
he arrives late so the principal searches his bag? what is he looking for?

[hard]

And anyway, who are we to tell people what they can put in their own bodies?

exactly, if the person wants to get high, let them be.

[suenoga]

And anyway, who are we to tell people what they can put in their own bodies?
[/quote]

I care about humanity.  I think health is more important than personal choice when it comes to drugs.  

[costargh]

The boy's inner-city school principal saw him arriving late for school about 11.30am yesterday and demanded to search his bag.

that's  a bit random
he arrives late so the principal searches his bag? what is he looking for?

In relation to the above, do principals have the authority to do that?

Last night at 2am I was reading up on relevant public transport acts trying to ascertain the rights of public transport users...

It was to no avail. There are something like 600+ pages in the Transport Act.

[costargh]

And anyway, who are we to tell people what they can put in their own bodies?

I care about humanity.  I think health is more important than personal choice when it comes to drugs.  

So you care about someone's health so much that you'd rather make a decision for them in relation to their health than let them make the decision about their own body?

Do you realise how stupid that sounds?

I can think of far better reasoning that you could have used than that.

[suenoga]

And anyway, who are we to tell people what they can put in their own bodies?

I care about humanity.  I think health is more important than personal choice when it comes to drugs.  

So you care about someone's health so much that you'd rather make a decision for them in relation to their health than let them make the decision about their own body?

Do you realise how stupid that sounds?

I can think of far better reasoning that you could have used than that.

why don't you debate the  point without being patronizing/condescending or damn right insulting? Yes I care about the health of people that much, because drug use not only damages the individual. It damages their family, friends and our tax dollars may help pay for the rehabilitation.

[Glockmeister]

*Sigh*, you're still not reading my post in context. What a shame...

In regards to that last sentence... I think a lot of people underestimate the potential effects of cannabis as well as the consequences of acquiring schizophrenia (which the research I cited before has "taken into account childhood psychotic symptoms ante­
dating cannabis use." (Arseneault et. al., 2002)).

http://www.thisisjersey.com/2008/02/15/legal-drug-may-cause-mental-health-problems/
but look at that, a legal drug can also cause mental illness like cannabis. You are exclusively talking about cannabis and nothing else. Of course if you researched anything, you'll find that there are negatives associated with it, it's just weed has been portrayed to be such a dangerous substance when really, comparing to many other things we use day to day, it isn't much different.

Aside from saying that the link is not a peer-reviewed journal therefore not valid la di da...

Your post shows why people should actually... read the source they are linking. The article doesn't even say what you claim is being said.  I quote Mike Gafoor from the article.

‘It has been reported to cause hallucinations which can obviously affect people’s behaviour,’ he said.

‘Other drugs that affect perception, such as ecstasy, cannabis and LSD, can cause hallucinations and have been associated with mental health problems and Salvia could be a similar drug that can cause similar problems. We do not know enough about it yet.’

(emphasis mine)

He isn't saying that Salvia causes mental illnesses but that since other drugs that affect perception have been known to be associated with mental illness, it can be hypothesised that Salvia may cause mental health issues as well. NOT that Salvia (your legal drug) causes mental illnesses.

[costargh]

The bit about tax payer dollars is a separate issue. Take away the tax payer dollars if you don't agree with that.