Battleangel

Time for a little media feeding frenzy again. Seems someone at SVT (Swedish Television, i.e. Public Service) just realized that you can buy “drugs” on the internet. Oh no. Gasp. It can’t be! *irony*
Only the “drugs” aren’t drugs because they aren’t classified as drugs. Thus the entire program looses much of its credibility. Suckers. Never believe the hype. The program will be broadcasted on the 28th at 2000. You better believe that after this show every parent will be looking under their teenager’s bed. Anything stronger than a mint tablet will justify a search warrant and anything remotely resembling suspicious stuff in plastic bags will be under scrutiny. It’s like arabphobia all over again only this time it’s drugphobia. None of them are really new however. They just keep getting recycled.

First of all let me explain my position on this. I’m not a big fan of psychoactive drugs (even the light drugs that this is all about). The reason simply being that they alter your sensory experiences, just as the name implies. I’m one of those pesky realists. That’s just the way it is. The only reason for me to break this rule would be if I could heighten mental xor physical capabilities. But that is not what this is about.
Anyway, the point here is that even though I don’t use these psychoactive drugs doesn’t mean that I should crusade against them. Not even if one had already solved all the other problems of the world like achieved peace, eliminated famine and ill health. Not even then would it be justifiable to mouth off about this.
It’s a freedom that we can’t afford to lose. And just one of many. Give them a finger, and they’ll take the whole hand.

There is also a cultural aspect to this. There are in fact parts of the world where something as mundane as coffee is considered inappropriate. Think about it. If there should be a debate about “drugs” we should try to involve the considerable scientific community that we have in Sweden. I.e. not just deranged politicians and clueless parents. There has to be a forum that arrives at a concord based on scientific premises. We can’t have a situation where media sharks dig up a handful of experts to back their own personal beliefs. Without due scientific process we would still be living on a flat earth. It’s not perfect but it is the best we can do at the moment.