The TRUTH about soft drugs.
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The TRUTH about soft drugs.
For all those people worrying about "Marihuana" and other SOFT drugs...
1) Marihuana has NO longer effect than alcohol, and will not cause as much brain damage.
2) Alcohol is OFFICIALLY categorized as HARD drugs, albeit the only legal one.
3) Most countries DO NOT I say again DO NOT check on Narcotics, france and Spain are exceptions. Alcohol is traceable in your body as long as any narcotics use, through your hair.
4) Alcohol is FAR more addictive than Marihuana, which has almost no addictive substances. It is the tobacco which you use to help smoking it which is the addictive part.
5) Almost every Pilot I know is drunk now and then. Just like any other normal person. Although I have NEVER met any collegue under influence before work. That is our responsibility. We have the responibility to know our limits as pilots. This goes for all thing directly and not directly related to our job.
Drinking is ok as long as you do it responsibly.
Smoking tobacco is ok, as long as you know wha's it doing to your body and don't let others suffer from your smoke
Smoking a joint is OK, as long as you know your limits and do it in a responsible way.
ALL of you "experts" who demonize soft drugs have no clue what you are talking about, and I suggest you to try and smoke a joint during your holidays, read some non US/UK scientific research on the subject and then voice your opinion.
Greetings,
Despegue
who does not smoke, and is very seldomly over the legal drinking limit.
1) Marihuana has NO longer effect than alcohol, and will not cause as much brain damage.
2) Alcohol is OFFICIALLY categorized as HARD drugs, albeit the only legal one.
3) Most countries DO NOT I say again DO NOT check on Narcotics, france and Spain are exceptions. Alcohol is traceable in your body as long as any narcotics use, through your hair.
4) Alcohol is FAR more addictive than Marihuana, which has almost no addictive substances. It is the tobacco which you use to help smoking it which is the addictive part.
5) Almost every Pilot I know is drunk now and then. Just like any other normal person. Although I have NEVER met any collegue under influence before work. That is our responsibility. We have the responibility to know our limits as pilots. This goes for all thing directly and not directly related to our job.
Drinking is ok as long as you do it responsibly.
Smoking tobacco is ok, as long as you know wha's it doing to your body and don't let others suffer from your smoke
Smoking a joint is OK, as long as you know your limits and do it in a responsible way.
ALL of you "experts" who demonize soft drugs have no clue what you are talking about, and I suggest you to try and smoke a joint during your holidays, read some non US/UK scientific research on the subject and then voice your opinion.
Greetings,
Despegue
who does not smoke, and is very seldomly over the legal drinking limit.
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Maybe you should come and work a couple of shifts with me before you make statements like that. Research is only as good as the party that is paying for said research. I could tell you shyte smells like honey, and you would probably believe me if I were able to back it up with some quacks research that says it's true.
Moderator
Research findings
I (and I'm sure many others) would like to see the research on which despegue's assertions are based. Maybe despegue could post links to the peer-reviewed papers, so that readers can both critically appraise the research model, and the journal in which it has been published.
Cheers,
BM
Cheers,
BM
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Despegue, you make some very good arguments, but can you say, hand on heart,
is a responsible thing to say on a pilot website?
ps we may be "experts" but the majority of us do actually care. We don't spout on about drugs in an attempt to gain the moral high ground, we just see the down side on a daily basis.
Smoking a joint is OK, as long as you know your limits and do it in a responsible way.
ps we may be "experts" but the majority of us do actually care. We don't spout on about drugs in an attempt to gain the moral high ground, we just see the down side on a daily basis.
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So the fact that just because one highly damaging drug - alcohol - is legal, it makes it OK to (1) disregard the law on another drug and (2) diregard expert medical opinion linking marijuana to psychotic behaviour, brain damage and other mental diseases?
I personally would rather see all drugs legal - only however from an economic standpoint do I say that, since it eliminates the criminal underworld in which it is traded, removes violence, allows it to be subject to real research, and prices it properly in the market.
It does not however make it right to disregard medical opinion by inhaling or ingesting a drug that has longer lasting side effects than alcohol, especially when one is in a position of responsiblity over numerous passengers whom expect that pilot(s) to be fully alert.
Without further research into the exact effects, it is irresponsible, and your post smacks of someone trying to justify it to themselves rather than anything else.
I don't care what you do to yourself, but you have no right to illegally have potential impact upon those charged in your responsiblity.
I personally would rather see all drugs legal - only however from an economic standpoint do I say that, since it eliminates the criminal underworld in which it is traded, removes violence, allows it to be subject to real research, and prices it properly in the market.
It does not however make it right to disregard medical opinion by inhaling or ingesting a drug that has longer lasting side effects than alcohol, especially when one is in a position of responsiblity over numerous passengers whom expect that pilot(s) to be fully alert.
Without further research into the exact effects, it is irresponsible, and your post smacks of someone trying to justify it to themselves rather than anything else.
I don't care what you do to yourself, but you have no right to illegally have potential impact upon those charged in your responsiblity.
Last edited by Re-Heat; 6th Oct 2005 at 11:34.
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Whatever the medical implications of smoking marijuana, it is ILLEGAL. Footballers and other sportsmen and women can be banned for smoking it, even though in my limited observations of people under the effect it could hardly be called a performance-enhancing drug. Quite the opposite. While smoking marijuana is illegal, whatever your personal opinions, it is a proscribed activity. By the way, Bob Marley died of lung cancer. He never smoked tobacco.
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Bob Marley actually died from cancer of the toe from playing football believe it or not!!!! He then got cancer everywhere else cause it spread!! They actually think the marajuana helped him survive longer considering how riddled with cancer he was.
http://ask.yahoo.com/20031013.html
See things on this forum are very rarley researched. They are usually just statements, rumors and peoples personal beliefs!
Happy thursday!
http://ask.yahoo.com/20031013.html
See things on this forum are very rarley researched. They are usually just statements, rumors and peoples personal beliefs!
Happy thursday!
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Look guyyys, chillllll. The dude has a point. Its like totally what i've been thinkin. We need more of these like visionaries to like clear the path for a happier world where everyones like happier, dudesss. Yeaaaaa. Thats soooooo rad man. Power to the people.
You could say hes stark raving bong(K)ers.
Is the guy a colombian drug lord trying to get a sympathetic pilot to be his mule or something? Maybe just plain mad. Proof if ever I've seen it that blow rots your head.
You could say hes stark raving bong(K)ers.
Is the guy a colombian drug lord trying to get a sympathetic pilot to be his mule or something? Maybe just plain mad. Proof if ever I've seen it that blow rots your head.
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There is only one fact that matters!
It doesn't matter whether you believe any given drug is hard or soft. There is only one fact that is important.
All operators of public service vehicles (sorry guys/girls, that includes us) should be free of all drugs whilst carrying out their responsibilities. The travelling public have a right to expect nothing less.
So Mr drinker, smoker, shooter, pothead. I don't care what you do when you are off duty. But fly with me 'under any influence' and you'll see how quickly you can lose some rings!
If it's a good enough law for Metro drivers, who can kill as many people as we can - it's good enough for us!
All operators of public service vehicles (sorry guys/girls, that includes us) should be free of all drugs whilst carrying out their responsibilities. The travelling public have a right to expect nothing less.
So Mr drinker, smoker, shooter, pothead. I don't care what you do when you are off duty. But fly with me 'under any influence' and you'll see how quickly you can lose some rings!
If it's a good enough law for Metro drivers, who can kill as many people as we can - it's good enough for us!
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The reason why I posted this thread was a previous thread where a wannabe asked for advice.
He was abused, accused and considered totally unfit to become a private, let alone professional aviator.
My point is that we should not think that Marihuana is the devil, but merely another intoxicating substance, very much like alcohol.
The guy was very open in asking what to do as he smoked a joint 6 days before a medical.
Well, if you fly 6 days after taken a joint, there will be absolutely no effect on your skills and ability to perform a flight in the utmost professional matter.
Wether it is legal or not to do so, is ones own responsibility and has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with being a responsible person.
I am sure that anyone here on the forum does "illegal" things now and then, wether speeding, adultery or being drunk in public (yes, that is a crime in most countries).
It is everyones responsibility though that this does not interfere with our professional life.
I might avoid taxes. Illegal, but nearly all of us are guilty of this crime. Does this make me a dangerous pilot? no.
Personally, I have never smoked/ used any drugs, never smoked and I am drunk maybe once a year. Why I decided to write this, I hate prejudiced people who think that they are the "crème de la crème" of responsible behaviour.
The simple fact that you refuse to open your mind to other views makes one a potentially more dangerous pilot than the one who smokes a joint once a year during his holiday in the Caribbean.
Regards,
Despegue
For those who want to see where I got my info, I will try to find any internet links to reputable research articles.
He was abused, accused and considered totally unfit to become a private, let alone professional aviator.
My point is that we should not think that Marihuana is the devil, but merely another intoxicating substance, very much like alcohol.
The guy was very open in asking what to do as he smoked a joint 6 days before a medical.
Well, if you fly 6 days after taken a joint, there will be absolutely no effect on your skills and ability to perform a flight in the utmost professional matter.
Wether it is legal or not to do so, is ones own responsibility and has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with being a responsible person.
I am sure that anyone here on the forum does "illegal" things now and then, wether speeding, adultery or being drunk in public (yes, that is a crime in most countries).
It is everyones responsibility though that this does not interfere with our professional life.
I might avoid taxes. Illegal, but nearly all of us are guilty of this crime. Does this make me a dangerous pilot? no.
Personally, I have never smoked/ used any drugs, never smoked and I am drunk maybe once a year. Why I decided to write this, I hate prejudiced people who think that they are the "crème de la crème" of responsible behaviour.
The simple fact that you refuse to open your mind to other views makes one a potentially more dangerous pilot than the one who smokes a joint once a year during his holiday in the Caribbean.
Regards,
Despegue
For those who want to see where I got my info, I will try to find any internet links to reputable research articles.
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Well now. I have never smoked marijuana either so I guess I am kind of prejudiced, mind you, it comes from 25 years of being a paramedic and seeing first hand what this drug and all the other street drugs do to our youth. If you don't think that it is a problem go to your skids anywheres in the world and ask the junkies which drug they started on. Marijuana is a gateway drug don't kid yourself into believing otherwise.
You can't buy this stuff from your corner store and you know that the guy selling it to you only has your best interest at heart.
You can find all sorts of "reputable" studies on any number of issues, again, it helps to know who is paying for said study.
Oh and for you buddies interest, THC can be detected in urine from 2 days to 11 weeks after use. Here is a link to answer some of your most frequently ask questions regarding a hugh host of drugs. Be informed, it's the smartest thing you can do.
http://students.ubc.ca/health/questions.cfm?page=1
You can't buy this stuff from your corner store and you know that the guy selling it to you only has your best interest at heart.
You can find all sorts of "reputable" studies on any number of issues, again, it helps to know who is paying for said study.
Oh and for you buddies interest, THC can be detected in urine from 2 days to 11 weeks after use. Here is a link to answer some of your most frequently ask questions regarding a hugh host of drugs. Be informed, it's the smartest thing you can do.
http://students.ubc.ca/health/questions.cfm?page=1
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I say again...........it has everything to do with your responsibility to the pax/crew you carry and everyone underneath your a/c.
What you indulge in has absolutely nothing to do with me until the day you try and fly with me under the influence of any substance, however light.....There is no room for any other interpretation.
So enjoy your skag, chill out, stay loose and present yourself at despatch 100% ready to fly....and we'll get on great.
What you indulge in has absolutely nothing to do with me until the day you try and fly with me under the influence of any substance, however light.....There is no room for any other interpretation.
So enjoy your skag, chill out, stay loose and present yourself at despatch 100% ready to fly....and we'll get on great.
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Hey despeque,
when i said on the other thread that "the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.." i did not meant for you to go smoke it...
LOL
how is life? drop me a message sometime...
Pointer (practising his chopstik skills bi-anually)
when i said on the other thread that "the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.." i did not meant for you to go smoke it...
LOL
how is life? drop me a message sometime...
Pointer (practising his chopstik skills bi-anually)
niknak
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I have 2 friends, one drinks far too much (Ben), the other uses "soft drugs" (John).
Ben doesn't get out much, he has a responsible job and a good income, but he drinks alone at home. I've been round his place to find the remains of his "night in", which is usually 8 cans of strong bitter and a litre of cider.
Once a week, he'll go down to his local, have few pints and a chat with the locals, go home and top up with the above.
He drinks about 3 days out of 5, but he can go for weeks at a time without drinking any alcohol, although if his yearly total was totted up, he'd be classed as an alcoholic.
John doesn't drink at all, he's been tee total for as long as I can remember, possibly all the time I've known him, but equally, for all the time I've known him, John has beeen into "the drugs scene".
John is unemployed, he can't hold a regular job down because most of the time he's away with the fairies, he doesn't look after himself and I know for a fact that his lifestyle doesn't match his income. He needs his "fix" every day of the year.
I know that alcohol is an addictive drug capable of terrible damage, but soft drugs have a far greater long term effect can, in certain circumstances, lead to addiction to to hard drugs, from which there is very limited option to escape.
Draw your own conclusions, but I know who I expect to find dead first.
Ben doesn't get out much, he has a responsible job and a good income, but he drinks alone at home. I've been round his place to find the remains of his "night in", which is usually 8 cans of strong bitter and a litre of cider.
Once a week, he'll go down to his local, have few pints and a chat with the locals, go home and top up with the above.
He drinks about 3 days out of 5, but he can go for weeks at a time without drinking any alcohol, although if his yearly total was totted up, he'd be classed as an alcoholic.
John doesn't drink at all, he's been tee total for as long as I can remember, possibly all the time I've known him, but equally, for all the time I've known him, John has beeen into "the drugs scene".
John is unemployed, he can't hold a regular job down because most of the time he's away with the fairies, he doesn't look after himself and I know for a fact that his lifestyle doesn't match his income. He needs his "fix" every day of the year.
I know that alcohol is an addictive drug capable of terrible damage, but soft drugs have a far greater long term effect can, in certain circumstances, lead to addiction to to hard drugs, from which there is very limited option to escape.
Draw your own conclusions, but I know who I expect to find dead first.
The Original Whirly
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niknak,
The trouble with individual examples is that's all they are - individual examples. I used to know a chap who held down a well paid, responsible job, was never late for work even, seemed terribly normal...and he just happened to be a heroin addict. Does that make heroin OK? Of course not.
Personally I'm against the use of ANY drugs, legal or illegal, apparently innocuous or otherwise, if I'm going to be flying. The reason? It goes back to the day I took ibuprofen for a headache, went out with an instructor to practise auto-rotations, and my coordination at the level required had gone to pot (excuse the pun). And how long does alcohol, marijuana, painkillers, or anything else affect you? Who knows, really? It probably dpends a lot on your individual metabolism. Isn't it safer not to take anything?
Maybe the real question is: Why do any of us want or need to take any of these things?
The trouble with individual examples is that's all they are - individual examples. I used to know a chap who held down a well paid, responsible job, was never late for work even, seemed terribly normal...and he just happened to be a heroin addict. Does that make heroin OK? Of course not.
Personally I'm against the use of ANY drugs, legal or illegal, apparently innocuous or otherwise, if I'm going to be flying. The reason? It goes back to the day I took ibuprofen for a headache, went out with an instructor to practise auto-rotations, and my coordination at the level required had gone to pot (excuse the pun). And how long does alcohol, marijuana, painkillers, or anything else affect you? Who knows, really? It probably dpends a lot on your individual metabolism. Isn't it safer not to take anything?
Maybe the real question is: Why do any of us want or need to take any of these things?