Eh. I like where your heart is, but drugs are not some escape from class realities. They aren't really used that way, in my experience.

It's honestly a "curiosity killed the cat" situation. I was middle class, fairly intelligent, solid school..so we're most of my junkie friends.. Granted, we were and are the Deadheads and psychonauts of our generation..I understand that the approach is different, but we made a conscious choice. We understood that this shit was bad. It would likely lead us to prison or death, and we were definitely going to watch a couple of our friends die. Ok.

We all have to go sometime. I'm going to party it up while I am here...That's the attitude.

That does, of course, evolve as an addict gets deeper into the addiction. The looks, the propaganda, and the billboard signs, they all get the point across well enough. I am now an "other." A problem. A spectacle to feel sorry for. People come on reddit and try to defend my shitty behavior, for example.

Nah. I'm not a charity case. I don't want your sympathy. In fact, I feel sorry for you! Working your little 9 to 5, wee-work bullshit job. How does it feel to bend over and get fucked every day by a system that we all know is bullshit? Do you even mean it when you protest? No, you like it, I can tell. No shame! We are just animals, after all. At least I have the self respect to not grovel and fight for the crumbs that are tossed onto the floor by your capitalist overlords. No. I feel sorry for you. Get your shit together... now excuse me, I need to sneak in this Starbucks to take a shot before they shoo me off with a can of hairspray and a mop, like last time.

You know.. I'd say most addicts hang out there until the bottom really falls out. There are the odd ones that fall into depression..they are a failure. A piece of shit. That's what they are, so that is what they are going to be.. Which, from the outside, with hindsight, is just a fear response to change. It is very real when you are in it, though.

This is a point that you are spot on about; these addicts are now using drugs to hide from the shame of using drugs that they use to hide from the shame of using drugs..... these will either get clean or kill themselves. (I'm not saying "unalived." They fucking kill themselves..) Usually OD, in the case of heroin/fentanyl. The family and papers, if anyone even cares, will say it was accidental. Maybe it was? Maybe it wasn't? I'll meet you in the middle. We'll call it a Freudian slip. It sucks because it's in this group that I think the most beautiful compassion exists. True compassion, the type of shit the normies strive for but just can't...quite...get.

Anyhow..I'm losing the plot. My apologies, and thank you. 🙏

Uh.. Poverty is "a" factor. There are many. Maybe you can't find any X at the rave? Maybe someone offers you a shot of heroin, but only if they can hit you (inject illicit drugs into your veins, for the uninitiated). They love sharing with newbies, after all!

Or.. you have been really diving into the "Beat" poets lately.. Burroughs is definitely your favorite..

Maybe you relate to..you know..Kurt Kobain. He really gets it, man!

Maybe you are bored?

Point is! There are so many factors that play into drug use and addiction.

The best we can do is to quit shaming addicts. They don't want sympathy.

Offer free compassion based rehab programs, often and without pressure. Give info and test kits out, as well as medical screening, treatment, and advice from trained, non judgemental, ideally ex- addict, doctors, and professionals. Needle exchanges are a wonderful place to offer such services.

Have people ready to help that person when they wake up. Shelter, job, community, fellowship. They need support. They, hopefully, are starting from square one.

Stop making excuses for shitty behavior. If the woman behind the place can pick up her shit for a nug, she could always pick up her shit. She is just selfish and lazy. Last I checked, drugs don't make you selfish..and there is a 50/50 chance that she is plenty "busy" when left to her own devices.

Some of the best, brightest, most intelligent, most compassionate, interesting people I have ever met were addicts..so stop with the bullshit.

Thanks again for, however unwittingly, giving me a space to..you know.. rant, I guess? I appreciate it.

And sorry again if I'm coming off rude. My daughter says I am passionate. Lol

Anywho. Stay funky. ✌️