Responsible drug use: Difference between revisions

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According to the harm reduction approach, recreational substance use is first-and-foremost to be understood as a high-risk activity that inherently involves the risk of addiction, serious bodily injury, and death. Therefore, the most pragmatic strategy an individual can adopt — other than complete abstinence, which may not always be realistic or desirable — is to carefully research each substance and take practical steps to reduce the risks and harms associated with using it, until the benefits outweigh the cost.

Recreational drug use may be viewed in a similar light as other risky-but-enriching activities, particularly extreme sports such as sailing, skiing, skydiving, surfing, and mountain climbing. More mundanely, it may also be compared to driving a car, riding a motorcycle, or flying in an airplane~~. While these activities carry substantial risks (including death), it is nevertheless widely understood that these risks can be minimized to an acceptable level with proper education and training~~.

Recreational drug use may be viewed in a similar light as other risky-but-enriching activities, particularly extreme sports such as sailing, skiing, skydiving, surfing, and mountain climbing. More mundanely, it may also be compared to driving a car, riding a motorcycle, or flying in an airplane.

Depending on the cultural context, ~~participation~~ in these activities may be viewed as an inalienable expression of ~~an individual~~'s freedom, self-determination, and dignity.

While these activities carry substantial risks (including death), it is nevertheless widely understood that these risks can be minimized to an acceptable level with proper education and training. Depending on the cultural context, the ability to participate in these activities may be viewed as an inalienable expression of one's freedom, self-determination, and dignity.

The philosophy underlying responsible drug use can be described as relatively radical in that it places ''absolute responsibility on the ~~user~~ to conduct proper research and take the necessary safety precautions''. This is accompanied by the understanding that there is '''no such thing as truly "safe" use, only safe(r) use''', and that individuals are ultimately responsible for the outcomes of their choices, whether it is health-related, financial, or otherwise.

The philosophy underlying responsible drug use can be described as relatively radical in that it places ''absolute responsibility'' on the individual to conduct proper research and take the necessary safety precautions. This is accompanied by the understanding that there is '''no such thing as truly "safe" use, only safe(r) use''', and that individuals are ultimately responsible for the outcomes of their choices, whether it is health-related, financial, or otherwise.

Advocates point to the many well-known artists and intellectuals who have used drugs, experimentally or otherwise, with few detrimental effects on their lives. Critics argue that drugs are escapist, dangerous, unpredictable, and ~~sometimes~~ addictive; therefore, responsible drug use is an illusion.

Advocates of responsible drug use point to the many well-known artists and intellectuals who have used drugs, experimentally or otherwise, with few detrimental effects on their lives. Critics argue that drugs are escapist, dangerous, unpredictable, and often addictive; therefore, responsible drug use is an illusion.

'''Examples of general harm reduction advice include:'''

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 According to the harm reduction approach, recreational substance use is first-and-foremost to be understood as a high-risk activity that inherently involves the risk of addiction, serious bodily injury, and death. Therefore, the most pragmatic strategy an individual can adopt — other than complete abstinence, which may not always be realistic or desirable — is to carefully research each substance and take practical steps to reduce the risks and harms associated with using it, until the benefits outweigh the cost.
-Recreational drug use may be viewed in a similar light as other risky-but-enriching activities, particularly extreme sports such as sailing, skiing, skydiving, surfing, and mountain climbing. More mundanely, it may also be compared to driving a car, riding a motorcycle, or flying in an airplane. While these activities carry substantial risks (including death), it is nevertheless widely understood that these risks can be minimized to an acceptable level with proper education and training.
+Recreational drug use may be viewed in a similar light as other risky-but-enriching activities, particularly extreme sports such as sailing, skiing, skydiving, surfing, and mountain climbing. More mundanely, it may also be compared to driving a car, riding a motorcycle, or flying in an airplane.
-Depending on the cultural context, participation in these activities may be viewed as an inalienable expression of an individual's freedom, self-determination, and dignity.
+While these activities carry substantial risks (including death), it is nevertheless widely understood that these risks can be minimized to an acceptable level with proper education and training. Depending on the cultural context, the ability to participate in these activities may be viewed as an inalienable expression of one's freedom, self-determination, and dignity.
-The philosophy underlying responsible drug use can be described as relatively radical in that it places ''absolute responsibility on the user to conduct proper research and take the necessary safety precautions''. This is accompanied by the understanding that there is '''no such thing as truly "safe" use, only safe(r) use''', and that individuals are ultimately responsible for the outcomes of their choices, whether it is health-related, financial, or otherwise.
+The philosophy underlying responsible drug use can be described as relatively radical in that it places ''absolute responsibility'' on the individual to conduct proper research and take the necessary safety precautions. This is accompanied by the understanding that there is '''no such thing as truly "safe" use, only safe(r) use''', and that individuals are ultimately responsible for the outcomes of their choices, whether it is health-related, financial, or otherwise.
-Advocates point to the many well-known artists and intellectuals who have used drugs, experimentally or otherwise, with few detrimental effects on their lives. Critics argue that drugs are escapist, dangerous, unpredictable, and sometimes addictive; therefore, responsible drug use is an illusion.
+Advocates of responsible drug use point to the many well-known artists and intellectuals who have used drugs, experimentally or otherwise, with few detrimental effects on their lives. Critics argue that drugs are escapist, dangerous, unpredictable, and often addictive; therefore, responsible drug use is an illusion.
 '''Examples of general harm reduction advice include:'''