[happy_doughnut]

*man, I didn't make it to math class. Oh well. *

I think that Red pointed out something that was rather intelligent of him, Kaena.

When you started talking about this "normal state," I started talking about it, too as did other people without actually questioning what was meant by the term. So I would have to disagree with your statement in regards to Red's "unintelligent" post.

There is no difinitive statement for what a "normal state of mind" is, I think. However, I gather that most take it to be a state of mind in which we have control over ourselves and our actions. Like say, if you're under the influence of any substance that can alter your "mind," you don't have full control over yourself because that alteration of the mind prompts you to do things you would most likely not do otherwise. Thus, when under the influence of substances, the substances themselves are the ones "controlling" you, as they are predominatly controlling the way you think and feel for the period of time in which they have effect on you.
So thus, by normal I think me mean that state of mind in which we are not under the influence of any outside substances that have the ability to alter our own selves, but rather are in a state of mind in which we can consciously make our own derrivative dicisions, altering substances excluded.

I'm not sure if Kaena and the others have this take on it, but I do.

Anyway, eek! Some of you are making me look like baddy. *mena cries*

No, guys... I'm not attacking anyone.

Maybe I'm not making myself clear, though.

I am one to believe that drugs, like any other things people use and abuse to flee away from problems, are a bad thing. Why? Simply because I believe and know that by finding some sort of temporary escape route I will not solve the problems I am trying to get away from; I know that once I return from my temporary escape, they will be there still, beckoning and dawning on me like they were in the first place. Now, even though this short "escape" served as a leeway in time to "forget" the things going on, I personally think that it is not worth it. Yes, I understand that sometimes things get so rough that even the most trite of escapes is better than facing real problems head-first. However, I think that whilst this may have some truth in it, upon doing so, one has generated another problem, one that is more difficult to repair: the deterioration of health.

This may sound like a preaching heard by anti-drug people, but it isn't. Just think about it: Suppose you wake up one morning and believe that the world is just about to cave on you. Your feet are heavy; your whole body is lagging. You feel exhausted and disillusioned; you have a rain cloud over your head. Everyone around you seems so happy and you want to be happy just like them, but you can't because everything is just so terribly wrong. You get out of bed and look at yourself in the mirror, but you don't see yourself - you see an ugly being that shouldn't even be living. The sun is comming in from the outside and into your room... that bothers you. You just want to curl up in your bed and hide under your sheets; you have no want to face the world.

I'm sure that, taking of giving a bit, everyone has felt something like this at one point or another. Sometimes, this pensive and depressed mood grows so much that we are literally desperate for something that will make it go away. One just wishes it would disappear so that we could continue to live life happily and merrily, no? Of course we would. Some of us, our of desperateness, turn to that little pill that will give up a temporary rush. During this time, we will experience inmense happiness and glee. In this state, there will be nothing bad; everything is great. It's as if that little magic pill (or powder) just made it go away. We have finally found a cure; the very one we wanted. But then... the effects ware off, and what is left to be confronted? The original problem, plus a new health problem (if this is the method we use on a regular basis).

So, is this momentary getaway worth it? I don't think so.

I think that this is the opinion Kaena, meryl and myself have: it's not worth it, no matter how you look at it.

However, all that I said before was not my opinion, but factual reasons. It is a fact that people use drugs to get away from their problems; it is not my opinion. That is what I meant by "close mindedness:" that what we believe are our opinions and that they are welcome and plausible, but just because we think these people to be weak of mind and of heart does not mean that factual evidence/reasons, like that of people using drugs are an escape, is to be denied.

We have to take this into consideration and acknowledge it, even if we don't agree with it. By knowing and comprehending this, we may be even more capable of helping those that need it.

And one last note: What Infernal said was right on. People that die at the hands of drugs shouldn't be pitied, imo. I know I don't. Like he said, there is something wrong with these people before they begin to use drugs and they know it. But what do they do? They weaken and turn to the easy way out, even though they know that there are other ways to go about the problem. I personally don't pity or feel sad for them because as far as I'm concerned, they brought onto themselves and desserve no lament of mine. Plus, that guy in the link was ridiculous and just plain idiotic.

So, kids: don't do drugs - they are pety. Everyone has problems... everyone. It is a part of life and we can't be stomped by them; we must overcome them. So stay away from them and be a big boy: face problems straight and with a high head... you'll see the victor will be you.

You want a rush, you say? Go drink soda.