Responsible drug use
The concept of responsible drug use is one that stirs debate easily. On the one hand, some believe that recreational drug use is an inherently irresponsible action (in that drug use is fraught with danger, and is illegal in many societies) and therefore can never be done "responsibly". On the other hand, some people would disagree with this assertion by pointing out that if a person can (for recreational, creative, spiritual, or entheogenic purposes) use a drug with no interference with other parts of their lives and no risk of danger to themselves or others, then that person is using drugs responsibly. For example, many well-known artists and intellectuals have experimented with recreational drug use and, when done in moderation, it has had few detrimental effects on their lives.
In addition, the stigmatized concept of a "recreational drug" is not known in some societies. For example, the Rastafarians use cannabis in religious rituals and some have no concept of it as a "recreational", much less "party", drug. Finally, some stigmatized and illegal recreational drugs are, in fact, physiologically and psychologically safer than alcohol, which few (in Western societies) have asserted cannot be used responsibly (although see Prohibition).
The philosophy of responsible drug use asserts that to use drugs responsibly one must adhere to the following principles:
- Understanding and educating themselves of the effects and legality of the drug they are consuming
- Weighing accurate dosages and taking other precautions to reduce the risk of overdose
- Taking the effort to chemically test all drugs they consume to determine purity and strength
- Not driving, operating heavy machinery, or engaging in any activity where they are directly or indirectly responsible for the safety or care of another person
- Not making irreversible or otherwise important decisions while under the influence
- Having a trip sitter when taking a drug they are inexperienced with
- Being honest with others about drug use
- Not attempting to trick or persuade anyone to use a drug they are not willing to use
- Not allowing drug use to overshadow other aspects of their lives
- Using drugs only when appropriate or for special occasions
- Being morally conscious of the source of their drugs
Some people would still remain adamant that even someone adhering to the above principles would be behaving irresponsibly by taking drugs at all. In particular, the unpredictable, unregulated nature of many illicit drugs carries inherent risks that might not be avoided, even with great care. Some types of drug are very addictive, and even moderate use may result in an uncontrollable physical need for an increased dosage, with concomitant possible physical and social problems. While some people may be able to use some drugs for many years without serious consequences, others may have an unexpected reaction to the drug, even on first use. A single use of some recreational drugs may cause death or some other violent reaction, including a loss of control that may result in harm to others. Because of the illegal nature of many drugs, quality and potency are difficult to assess; this may also have an effect on the ability to use recreational drugs safely. The illegality of drugs in itself may also cause social consequences for those using them.
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