For some reason Scotland has for as long as I can remember had a disproportionate amount of drug users over England. Never quite understood why except for perhaps the weather, which to be honest does have a massive effect on the psyche of those living near the north pole so maybe there is something in that.

In the UK as a whole though the use of recreational drugs has increased, not sure how much it has outstripped population growth proportionally mind you, maybe someone knows the answer.

I agree the smoking ban helped reduce the number of smokers massively and cost has had a big impact too. Unfortunately for the illegal side of the market, a ban is irrelevant and stops no-one who really wants to get into it. Recreational drugs have become more expensive but not prohibitively for those with a night's beer money in their pocket. There is possibly an argument for legalising certain drugs for use but controlling the supply is the real issue.

In an ideal world there would be no recreational drugs, however whilst there is money to be made from exploiting the desperate and the weak minded there is no real answer to resolving the problem completely.

Out of interest, why do you think this?

I think removing the stigma around recreational use of drugs is one of the things which will help to solve the problem - there's nothing inherently wrong with it, and as Teddy mentions above, the want to alter reality/f*ck yourself up is perfectly normal/natural.

I'd agree in an ideal world, there would be no problem drug users, but I don't see why we'd want away from them altogether.

Edited by EverybodyDannsNow (08 Dec 2021 2.25pm)

As much as I admire aspects of Scottish culture and also carry the genes. I think we can somewhat safely say that the 'living in Scotland' factor explains quite a lot.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

At the middle class/wealthy end drug use tends to be someone with too much money and nihilism.

While both can intersect at the lower end it's usually someone trying to escape a sh1tty existence.

Most of the time it's the company you keep playing a major factor.

Like with smoking it's useful if your family had/has a general anti recreational drugs culture.

Edited by Stirlingsays (08 Dec 2021 2.58pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

I think you're accurate.

I would say though that the poverty angle is more complex as we need to think in terms of relativity and expectations here. People who can't quite feed their family and/or heat the home are rarely bothering with serious drugs as the money isn't there to buy them.

However, rise a bit above that and sure....I think it's more cultural than fiscal, though obviously it factors in....However as we fully know the middle class and above have their own very real problems with it.

It greases the wheels of the media, entertainment and other industries. Their drugs often hidden behind their dirty little pretence at normality.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Maybe if they spent their money on food and shoes instead of drugs, they wouldn't be so poor or deprived........

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