why are people so proud of taking drugs?

A lot of things ruin people's lives. Unfortunately, there is such a horrible stigma regarding certain drugs that people are distracted from the bad habits that are legal and encouraged in society.

For example, grilled meats are more detrimental to your health than a marijuana. Hot dogs, bacon, bologna, and virtually all deli meats are terrible for your health in a number of ways.

Yet there are no warning labels on these products. There are even ads that target children to buy these products. "Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Meyer Weiner!"

Almost all deli meats are relics of a time when we lacked proper refrigeration. To prevent spoilage and bacterial growth, we preserved meats with tons of salt and sodium nitrite. When the FDA learned in the late 60s that nitrites and nitrates in processed meat caused cancer in people, they attempted to ban those preservatives. But the meat industry fought back by taking out ads in magazines and papers saying that "the government wants to ban your bacon." And of course, the public outcry was so great that sodium nitrites were kept in the food supply. Granted nitrates were banned but it's a pointless gesture since nitrates turned into nitrites in the human body, anyway. So there's no difference. People get sick and everyone wonders why.

So for you to talk about drugs rather than something legally sold in stores and consumed by the masses, I find very disappointing.

And "drugs" is a vague term. There are lots of drugs that save lives and relieve pain. Morphine, for example, is one of the greatest drugs ever discovered. It is a godsend for millions who suffer from severe pain. Because of heavy government regulation, the majority of the global morphine supply is used by the US. Only 6 percent of cancer patients in India have access to morphine. These are the fruits of the war on drugs: unnecessary legislation, incarceration, and suffering.

Kind of a broad pointless question.

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You need better drugs.

Except for the thousands who took drugs when they were young and turned out to be as normal as anyone else.

Moderation and keeping your wits - that's the key

i've never understood the druggie mentality.

I think this was partly the point of the movie. Jamie is constantly craving for nicotine, caffeine, likes to brag about how much cocaine he has taken last night, and can only enjoy himself on mescaline. Typical symptoms of those incapable of enjoyment, incapable of being 'high on live'. I think the irony was intentional, just like many other ironic events in the movie.

San Pedro isn't exactly the kind of drug that can ruin your life. In fact, it can do just the opposite. Some people honestly use psychedelics for therapeutic reasons. I mean, sure, someone could start freaking out while they're tripping on San Pedro, but it isn't going to ruin their entire life.