DARE: The Anti-Drug Program That Never Actually Worked • Hacker News Board

Re: DARE: The Anti-Drug Program That Never Actually Worked

#41

Post by philwelch » Sat, Oct 03, 2015, 4:34 AM UTC

astazangasta wrote: post #36

Vexs wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seriously, the only things that have ever made me think a second time about drugs are the honest descriptions of it, not the "I did drugs and now I have no teeth" kinda descriptions, but the ones that go, "When you're on meth, meth feels great! Everything is amazing, you feel like you can do so much, but when you're off it everything seems boring! So you go back for more, and eventually you're addicted." kinda descri…

Or, just do drugs. I mean, LSD is great, and people should try it. Smoking pot is also nice, I've done some great writing while stoned. Heck, Paul Erdos did amphetamines his whole life. Why are we trying to convince everyone not to do drugs again?

We're not; it's just one drug cartel trying to push out the competition. Whenever you hear drug use described as "self-medicating", you're hearing the notion that drugs like Zoloft and Ritalin are ok but drugs like marijuana and MDMA aren't.

Re: DARE: The Anti-Drug Program That Never Actually Worked

#42

Post by Houshalter » Sat, Oct 03, 2015, 4:35 AM UTC

Interesting article. But it didn't go into any details of why DARE is ineffective compared to other programs. It didn't specify what the other programs did differently. It barely mentioned the other programs, or their effectiveness, until the very end. I'm afraid a lot of readers might walk away with the impression that all anti-drug programs are ineffective.

Lastly it says that this reform started in the 2000's. That was 15 years ago. So people who went through the program in the 2000's like me might not have gotten the ineffective version. Assuming they actually made decent reforms, which the article suggests.

Re: DARE: The Anti-Drug Program That Never Actually Worked

#43

Post by FireBeyond » Sat, Oct 03, 2015, 4:47 AM UTC

mratzloff wrote: post #6

I think Randy Marsh from "South Park" had the most effective anti-marijuana speech I've ever heard: Stan: I've been told a lot of things about pot, but I've come to find out a lot of those things aren't true! So I don't know what to believe! Randy: Well, Stan, the truth is marijuana probably isn't gonna make you kill people, and it most likely isn't gonna fund terrorism, but… well, son, pot makes you feel fine with b…

If you want to convince teenagers not to try (certain) drugs - have them watch Trainspotting and Requiem For A Dream. Emotionally punishing, both of them.

Re: DARE: The Anti-Drug Program That Never Actually Worked

#44

Post by hristov » Sat, Oct 03, 2015, 4:57 AM UTC

astazangasta wrote: post #36

Vexs wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seriously, the only things that have ever made me think a second time about drugs are the honest descriptions of it, not the "I did drugs and now I have no teeth" kinda descriptions, but the ones that go, "When you're on meth, meth feels great! Everything is amazing, you feel like you can do so much, but when you're off it everything seems boring! So you go back for more, and eventually you're addicted." kinda descri…

Or, just do drugs. I mean, LSD is great, and people should try it. Smoking pot is also nice, I've done some great writing while stoned. Heck, Paul Erdos did amphetamines his whole life. Why are we trying to convince everyone not to do drugs again?

Nobody has ever done any great writing while stoned. Even Hunter S. Thompson, one of the most pro-drug writers ever, said that pot is the only drug that prevents him from doing any good work.

And no, people should not try LSD. LSD leads to a high danger of psychosis or schizophrenia, and that is no fun at all. It is better not to risk it. Just because you may have gotten lucky so far, there is no reason to invite others to take spin on the russian roulette. If you have any mental illness in your family, it is strongly advisable you steer clear, but even if you don't, it is not worth the risk.

Re: DARE: The Anti-Drug Program That Never Actually Worked

#45

Post by Houshalter » Sat, Oct 03, 2015, 5:00 AM UTC

astazangasta wrote: post #36

Vexs wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seriously, the only things that have ever made me think a second time about drugs are the honest descriptions of it, not the "I did drugs and now I have no teeth" kinda descriptions, but the ones that go, "When you're on meth, meth feels great! Everything is amazing, you feel like you can do so much, but when you're off it everything seems boring! So you go back for more, and eventually you're addicted." kinda descri…

Or, just do drugs. I mean, LSD is great, and people should try it. Smoking pot is also nice, I've done some great writing while stoned. Heck, Paul Erdos did amphetamines his whole life. Why are we trying to convince everyone not to do drugs again?

C0nc0rdance is a scientist who makes well researched videos about various subjects, and did a few videos on the health effects of marijuana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnNPm5cG85c

It may not be the most harmful drug, but it's certainly not harmless or non-addictive.

LSD can cause mental illness to emerge in some people. I also remember a study that gave LSD to 10 people during a religious sermon. 9 of them went on the be preachers or priests later in life. That doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. But anything with that powerful an effect on the mind is concerning.

Amphetamines certainly seem pretty cool. Especially if you have ADHD. But it definitely has side effects and potential for addiction. It's long term effects are not well studied, and a few studies I did see were concerning. E.g. brain damage in monkeys, and a group of kids taking it did worse than the control group after 3 years.

I think people should be educated on the risks and facts before they decide to take a drug. If they still want to do it, fine. But at least they know the risks. And it's not enough just to put a warning sticker on the back of it that no one reads. Even widespread education that a drug is dangerous isn't enough. Everyone knows cigarettes cause cancer, but why do new people take up smoking?

Re: DARE: The Anti-Drug Program That Never Actually Worked

#46

Post by qmalxp » Sat, Oct 03, 2015, 5:02 AM UTC

astazangasta wrote: post #36

Vexs wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seriously, the only things that have ever made me think a second time about drugs are the honest descriptions of it, not the "I did drugs and now I have no teeth" kinda descriptions, but the ones that go, "When you're on meth, meth feels great! Everything is amazing, you feel like you can do so much, but when you're off it everything seems boring! So you go back for more, and eventually you're addicted." kinda descri…

Or, just do drugs. I mean, LSD is great, and people should try it. Smoking pot is also nice, I've done some great writing while stoned. Heck, Paul Erdos did amphetamines his whole life. Why are we trying to convince everyone not to do drugs again?

I think it's a bit misleading to simply say "LSD is great and you should try it". It can be interesting, but also can be scary as fuck, and you should be in a good place mentally before trying it.

Re: DARE: The Anti-Drug Program That Never Actually Worked

#47

Post by setpatchaddress » Sat, Oct 03, 2015, 5:11 AM UTC

te_platt wrote: post #3

Proud father comment here. Last year my son's school had a DARE essay writing contest. Knowing that I favor legalizing drugs he showed me his submission before turning it in. I should note we had a good conversation about why I think drug use is a very bad idea and the reasons why. His English teacher (8th grade) gave him 100 out of 100. The following is his submission: D.A.R.E. is a program designed to keep kids fro…

With all of those grammar and punctuation errors, an 8th grade English teacher marked that essay 100%? Seriously? You need to find a better school.

Re: DARE: The Anti-Drug Program That Never Actually Worked

#48

Post by badmadrad » Sat, Oct 03, 2015, 5:22 AM UTC

I actually have fond memories of DARE. But we had a really cool cop come in the class and tell us stories that were interesting to me. Usually the stories were very honest and real stories which I found riveting compared to the daily repetitive humdrum of school. I don't think it was the reason I didn't do drugs but it definitely supported and provided foundation around what my parents would tell me.

Re: DARE: The Anti-Drug Program That Never Actually Worked

#49

Post by kristianrjs » Sat, Oct 03, 2015, 5:49 AM UTC

I went through DARE in Canada 11 years ago when I was 9. They had an RCMP officer come in everyday for a week for a about 30 mins and I had to write an essay specifically on the negative effects of marijuana at the end of the week. I really didn't even understand the concept of taking drugs to get high and the only alcohol in my life was the beer my parents drank. It seemed like wasted time to me.

Re: DARE: The Anti-Drug Program That Never Actually Worked

#50

Post by pstuart » Sat, Oct 03, 2015, 5:52 AM UTC

hristov wrote: post #44

astazangasta wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or, just do drugs. I mean, LSD is great, and people should try it. Smoking pot is also nice, I've done some great writing while stoned. Heck, Paul Erdos did amphetamines his whole life. Why are we trying to convince everyone not to do drugs again?

Nobody has ever done any great writing while stoned. Even Hunter S. Thompson, one of the most pro-drug writers ever, said that pot is the only drug that prevents him from doing any good work. And no, people should not try LSD. LSD leads to a high danger of psychosis or schizophrenia, and that is no fun at all. It is better not to risk it. Just because you may have gotten lucky so far, there is no reason to invite oth…

> LSD leads to a high danger of psychosis or schizophrenia

Citations please.

It's a powerful drug but has incredible value when used properly. If you're going to start wringing your hands over dangerous drugs, start with the killers of today: alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs.