Responses on: "Do you have any additional comments? Please feel free to write as much as you wish, as mentioned above the more information you give the better."

Informant #278245: You didnt have a choice for ' I used to back in the day but I grew up'- that would be my answer for the ones that asked about my drug use.

Informant #278246: Re: the question on drug legalization- I am for legalization of all drugs, BUT with proper controls, education, harm reduction services etc. I do not believe all drugs are "good", but that the current system exacerbates rather then mitigates the problems.

Informant #278287: I inject painkillers that can be injected.

Informant #278590: Let people take whatever drugs they want anywhere they want; I don't care if people are enjoying their only lives, this world sucks anyway so you might as well enjoy it any way you can, even if it does involve taking drugs,

Informant #278593: No.

Informant #278594: i answered the question for the legalization, but it wasn't true since there wasn't a "NO" answer.

Informant #278598: I have conflicted views on drugs. I believe that drugs aren't the problem as much as peoples' attitudes towards them. It's very possible to have a very successful, happy, stable life while sometimes taking drugs recreationally. Problems occur when people have other (home life/psychological etc) problems that lead them to be weak enough to become addicted to drugs. For example, someone who takes cocaine around once a month at parties, smokes 10 a day and drinks maybe once every two weeks has no discernable problem and can have a great life. On the other hand, someone who uses drugs as an escape from life or as a substitute for a normal life obviously has problems and can't be happy. An annoying thing is when governments can't differentiate between those two types of people. Drugs are illegal because they have the potential to be harmful and because people abuse them. If people learned to be sensible and mature about it then I'd have no problems with all drugs being legalised. If drugs were sold by the government, then we could tax them, save up prison spaces and we would be in a better place to help people who develop drug problems. Another problem is kids doing it to be "cool" and not knowing the facts. There are multiple resources around to teach people about the pros and cons of each drug but kids think they're immortal and don't educate themselves. In all, there's a lot to fix before we can legalise all drugs, but I think it's going to be possible one day.

Informant #278640: Some questions did not have an "I don't do drugs" option

Informant #279074: Really my only drug experience is a program called I-Dozer. Which, isn't really a drug. What it is is an audio player that sends signals to your brain that makes you feel high/on crack/whatever, but you aren't really. I tried it to simulate Marijuana and it was fudging awesome. It's like, tingly, wonderfulness, hunger, and bringing out your inner musical wants. I also tried a tobacco cigarette, but simply couldn't stand the taste.

Informant #279457: I'm bipolar, and have been on all kinds of different medications. Heroin is the only thing that makes me feel okay with being alive.

Informant #279475: I use almost every type of drug in almost every type of way(ROA), but I only use marijuana continuously.

Informant #279580: I got and have been sober for 5 yrs but i was in active addiction for 15 yrs Ending with H.

Informant #279607: I think psychedelic drugs are the best. I have done LSD many times and have had no I'll effects.

Informant #279643: smoke some weeeeeeed

Informant #279665: I am a 49 year old male, drug use for me is quite rare, When i was in my teens, i suffered paranoia while under the influence of cannabis (solid) quite a lot so i gave that up. I have always been nervous, perhaps that was magnified ? I still got paranoid when i tried again in my 30s, a couple of years ago i tried home grown, it did not make me paranoid, good feelings where enhanced & i got closed eye visuals, i could choose to see things in 3d. I feel i am realistic & dont think thats a valid reason to use it if other negative effects come with its use. It has been months since i took any drugs recreationaly & i dont feel a strong desire to do so now.

Informant #279689: More forward by re-informing anyone on the effects of drugs because people still think what the government told them about violence and crime strictly from drug users.

Informant #279816: I did not start using marijuana until I was in my 50s. (I'm 74 now.) Alcohol and cigarets were my drugs of choice in my suburban upbringing in my 20s and 30s back in the 1950s. I only started marijuana in my 50s and opioids (heroin, vicodin, methadone and fentanyl) for both medical and recreational use in my 60s. Now I only use marijuana occasionally and Vicodin and Fenanyl for medical reasons and with prescriptions. I have tried LSD and Ecstacy just a few times, and have a source for E. so hope to try it again soon. I definitely abused alcohol in my younger years, but no longer. I smoked a pack a day for 10 years; haven't smoked tobacco in nearly 40 years. Fortunately my substance abuse never led to serious legal, medical or employment problems. I retired 4 years ago at age 70 following a nearly 50-year work period with no periods of unemployment.

Informant #279835: To clarify: Heroin does not cause a 'trip', as stated in question 8. I stopped using because I chose to, not because it made me sick. Good luck on your research project and future endeavors. Please share with us the final data when it is available.

Informant #280035: Hope this info helps with your research.

Informant #280040: Some of the question options were very limiting. I felt there was no way to show the difference between the amount I use drugs - for instance coffee, tobacco, and psychedelics are all used "sometimes" and not "often", but the rates are very different - perhaps once or twice a week for coffee, once or twice a month for tobacco, and one to three times a year for psychedelics. Also, these things change - right now I haven't used cannabis is several weeks, but at some point in the next year I might smoke it five times a week for a month. At other times, I might not use it for several months. Also, having no "other" option for the question on the legal minimum age for cannabis use doesn't seem the best - I didn't really like any of the options I was given. The question on "how do you usually use drugs" seems completely nonsensical - it of course depends on which drug is being consumed. I smoke tobacco; smoke or eat cannabis; eat, drink, or smoke psychedelics; drink coffee and tea; drink alcohol; eat, drink, inhale, or smoke opiates; eat chocolate; eat or inhale amphetamine, etc. I only selected "drinking" because I would say I drinking alcohol, tea, or coffee happens more often in my life than any other route. But possibly smoking happens more often, I couldn't really say.

Informant #280051: While smoking pot did not make me want to try other drugs, I concede that if I had not smoked pot, I most likely would never have randomly attempted another drug first. I also believe that if I had chosen another "crowd" or close friends rather than the ones I have, I may have easily either: never have tried any drug other than alcohol & tobacco OR, would have probably been using other drugs like cocaine, etc. Additionally, while my drug of choice is LSD, I use it maybe once a month.

Informant #280232: Drugs are great, but they're not everything

Informant #280266: I liked to pill pop any pill I could get my hands on

Informant #280294: I smoke marijuana recreationally and have taken klonopin pills once. My "gateway" into drug use was Aldous Huxley's book "The Doors of Perception," which outlined his experiences with mescalin. Ever since I read the book, I have wanted to experiment with psychedelic drugs. Alas, all I can find is marijuana, but taken in the right situations and proper doses, I am able to experience some of these. My drug use helps me produce art, poetry, and music. I don't allow myself to use drugs to excess, because I don't want to let it rule my life. I have friends who have taken drugs since middle school, and their personalities seem to have formed around it. I didn't engage in any drug consumption until I was 18 [and not with any regularity until 20]. I feel that amount of time allowed me to mature without a chemical crutch. The other reason I monitor my drug use is my concern that I may begin to self-medicate. I have suffered from depression, self-esteem issues, and anxiety since puberty. The first time I smoked marijuana, I experienced significantly reduced amounts of stress and anxiety for the following three months. My sleeping habits also improve, both in amount and quality. Whether this effect on my stress is a placebo, or whether THC "fixes" whatever brain chemistry I suffer from, I cannot say, but I don't really want to find out by becoming a regular user. As it is, I enjoy it when I can, and I get along the rest of the time.

Informant #280378: Well I think the word "drug" is a horrible one. It allows one to lump a whole plethora of chemicals that range a spectrum of effects together. It's hard to compare the effects of lsd used for the purpose of Exploration self with meth used just to get "really high". Well i dont wanna rant about my view on drugs. First thing i tryed was cigarette i stole from my parents at age seven. I hated it. A few years later I tryed em again but i never inhaled. So from then on i would steal a cigarette once in a blue moon but not inhale it. Then i tryed cannabis when I was 12. What was the reasoning around this? Curosity. I stole some from a friend's dad and smoked it by myself. I never tryed it again until i moved to the city(denver) when i was 14. Out there i tryed quite a few thing and I i would saying i was using substances for the purpose of bordom and angst agianst my situation. I was nearing twards the side of abuse Since then my substance use has decreased and is more of one of growth and pure recreation.

Informant #280573: Drug use is not a bad thing as long as you have control of your behavior. What I do in the privacy of my home or other private location with friends shouldn't be anyones concern other than my own.

Informant #280718: The potential responses for several of the questions were quite limiting. An 'Other' category would have been nice, and a space where a respondent might explain what their 'Other' response meant. For example, I used to be a heavy smoker, but I have quit and no longer use tobacco, nicotine, or any NAChR agonists of any kind, not necessarily because they 'made me sick', at least not in an acute way, but because I could tell they were going to shorten my life. The possible responses for Heroin use included 'I trip often', which must be a mistake, as the word 'trip' is never applied to the use of heroin in the drug culture (at least not one that I am aware of). My apologies for bringing this up, as I'm sure the experimenters have already heard this a hundred times. Additionally, I have used heroin before, some years ago, in fairly large amounts but for a brief period of 7 days. How am I to respond to the heroin use question? I think I may have said 'once, but I didn't like it', however, I used it at least a dozen times and REALLY liked it. It would have seemed inappropriate to respond 'some, but not often', as my use is limited to one week in the distant past. I first used alcohol at 11 and used it most weekends throughout the ages of 12 and 13, to the point where I was probably developing some alcohol dependency issues, though I only ever used it in social contexts and most often just to get as f***ed up as possible, though less often to relieve social anxiety. At 13, I discovered marijuana, which seemed to be a much less toxic and much more enjoyable recreational drug than alcohol. I used marijuana heavily for the next 5 years, during which time my alcohol use subsided except for certain social settings where binge drinking was normative.

Informant #280759: I think children should be told the unbiased truth about recreational drugs, their dangers and their use. Scaremongering and misinformation only builds distrust and forces curious children to experiment for themselves. In a free society, people should be able to make their own choices about intoxicants. It is human nature to seek occasional recreational intoxication and making drugs illegal narrows the choices people could make. If cannabis and MDMA and magic mushrooms were legal, for example, I believe most people would steer clear of the more addictive and dangerous drugs like cocaine and heroin. However, even the harder drugs should be legal and regulated because prohibition creates criminal persecution. What we as a people need is for our government to relax, tell the truth and stop using the drug war as a tool of prejudice and class discrimination. Unfortunately, too many people are making their living off our absurd laws as they are and don't want anything to change. A man who earns his living fighting an enemy has no desire to see his enemy cease to exist. Were these drugs taxed and regulated, the income on that front, along with the savings from no longer prosecuting users would save more than enough money to use for education, treatment and regulation. And the people would begin to trust their governments to be honest with them. Imagine how much better off we would be in such a society!

Informant #280972: <3

Informant #281019: I am now a heavy user of opioids (fentanyl patches and Norco) which I get legally prescribed for neurological pain (peripheral neuropathy). Although I could easily get medical marijuana here in California, I find it does not not help my pain; if anything it exacerbates it by increasing sensitivity. I use cannabis occasionally for recreational purposes. Also true for ecstasy. I am an advocate for research on ecstasy for all kinds of psychiatric purposes--I support MAAPS for their work on gaining at least some acceptance of MDMA for research. I'd like to try LSD again; have only used it 4-5 times, and that was years ago. In the right setting LSD is transcendental; in the wrong setting it is just upsetting (based on my personal experience.) I've also had some fun experiences with nitrous oxide. Years ago a friend was able to get full tanks; we filled balloons sat down and inhaled. The intoxication lasts only about 2-3 minutes; then you come down with no hangover. Some would go on all night with this; I would limit my inhalations to 2-3 hours. Others combined the nitrous with LSD; I was chicken to try that. I've tried psilocybin mushrooms a few times; not enough to evaluate. Never done ayhuashka, peyote, or ketamine.

Informant #281071: Just make marijuna legal. Its been proven cigs and booze do more damage to a person then pot. If it became legalized and controlled like cigs, no more dealers killing dealers. The taxes made off it could quickly turn around the deficit. Id bet you a dollar domestic violence, assaults, ect would also decrease.

Informant #281420: currently am off opiates. ive struggled with them since age 15, went to rehab for 3 months at a mental institute, then changed location when released. during high school i was fairly normal, would party and drink, do coke. started in with oxycodone around a year ago, used actively for around 8 months, and was placed on soboxone. tapered off that in about a month and a half, and was clean for several months. recently had about a month long relapse and its been almost two weeks since using any opiate.

Informant #281468: Use daily: Opium poppy pods (2.5 years), propylhexedrine (1.5 years). Use weekly: Marijuana, caffeine. Drugs of choice: hydrocodone/MDMA Drug use pattern: Self-medication, as needed for chronic fatigue, social anxiety, physical pain, depression and Asperger's syndrome. No binging or high-dose use, even with drugs of choice. All drugs used over lifespan: Marijuana Psilocybin mushrooms Mescaline cacti MDMA Ephedrine Elemi oil Propylhexedrine Poppies Hydrocodone/Oxycodone Codeine/dihydrocodeine Propoxyphene Cyclobenzaprine/Skelaxin Xanax/Valium/Ativan Alcohol Tobacco Caffeine Coca tea Various antidepressants (SSRIs, tricyclics, atypicals, anti-psychotics)

Informant #281486: I feel that my use of psychedelic drugs (once or twice a month) has a very positive impact on my life. They renew my amazement with the world and teach me to control my mood. However, my use of depressants (alcohol, marijuana, JWH-018, benzodiazepines) has a negative impact on my life while not high. I wish I did not crave depressants.

Informant #281514: I feel that non-methamphetamine amphetamines can be extremely helpful if taken in moderation. I also think psychedelics such as mushrooms and DMT are worthwhile experiences. Ergogenics like anabolic steroids or prohormones are often demonized, but can be used safely and greatly benefit the user.

Informant #282023: As I mentioned, I had a couple month stint of opiate use (though no IV), and I don't regret it, but now that I've been through it (i.e. a withdraw) I see why they are often regarded as the lowliest and most blacklisted (along with meth) of drugs. While I believe many drugs should be legal, but only recommended under supervised conditions (LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, even MDMA for certain cases are all incredibly beneficial and insightful) I found that opiates should remain illegal except for patients in severe pain, for they offer very little insight and are more dangerous and addictive than other drugs. What needs to happen, if we are to progress Society, is to stop lumping drugs like heroin in the same category as marijuana and LSD. They are much too different...we need to be honest to the people and our youth about these drugs. Thanks.

Informant #282099: I say ecstasy was my gateway drug because it's the first drug I wanted to try. I never thought about smoking weed because in high school I ran track. But ecstasy and the euphoria it gave me is what started my obsession with psychoactive substances. Now I really don't do ecstasy anymore but I am stoned 24/7 and I love my blues(30mg Oxycodone IR pills)!

Informant #282305: I just happened to fall into this world. I was never against it, it just wasn't around. Now that I've been around it, I feel like they could categorized just like alcohol. Good for altering ones mind and easily abused, hopefully ppl who do end up doing them are smart and only allow for the recreational use and not abuse hem.

Informant #282775: I'm a recovering Heroin addict and Alcoholic, that's why the answers seem a little off. You need to go over the wording of some of this, especially where it says "Have you answered other to question 10?" Those choices refer to the wrong questions.

Informant #283446: Hi, what's up? I hope you are really cute, I just bet you are!

Informant #283596: uhh.... drugs are great. they're also terrible, a double edged sword. but they are f***in' great. cuz they do their job. they provide you more life experience by showing you things you wouldn't be able to see from a life of sobriety. when it really comes down to it, especially with psychedelics, you're doing it to appreciate all the shit you should be able to appreciate in every day life, but don't. for example, the frost on the ground in the morning looks ablsolutely breathtaking on lsd, and you feel as if you could move every particle of frost wherever you want it. that's why i'm in favor of drugs.

Informant #283660: Very much enjoy Ecstasy and Amphetamine at once, daily use is on and off, use one week stop another, MDMA found to be the most "life changing". marijuana and tobacco always used together

Informant #283711: Personally i have used many different drugs at different times in my life eairly on it was pot then my 1st girlfriends mom was a dealer so i started to deal on a small scale and smoke on the regular.Ay 18 i took off to collage and tryd acid and loved it! useing on a regular basis for a few years this was the late 90s.I droped out of collage no suprise i was makin good money sellin pot and partying all the time. then i came back to my small midwest town and found all my cronies smokin crack i picked up that habit for a good 3-6 month's thats a tast no one ever forgets and loves but walking away was the best for me because my same highschool girlfriend was knocked up with my first kid. i got clean exept for pot witch i smoked every day morning noon and night. i got a very high paying factory job to support my family i smoked at work for years till i got busted i guess they dont think being stoned and operating heavy machenery is a good idea...I got to keep my job but i was subject to random drug test so i was clean for 6 month's untill we were working 7 days a week 12 hrs a day a lot of my co workers/ friends were hardcore bikers harly outlaw kind one day one said snort this dude and i said i dont really like coke he said its way better than coke its crystal made by way of fospheris. so i did and that started a big lie i did that shit for 3 4 years non stop no one in my family even new no one did i lived a big lie. a marrage and my 2nd kid later we were livin in a nearly brand new house money in the bank new baby at home then the shit bit back. my wife went nuts post baby i was at work tweeked all the time when i wasnt workin i was helpin my biker buds work on there bike. one day my woman flipped out i kicked her out long story short she gave me my kids for $1500 cash to load needels in her arm with meth. the same drug i was useing for years to build my home family life ect. all was fukd up. i crashed off the meth just quit it almost killed me lost my house ended up in rehab phyce ward ect bad news. wife left me with kids for 2 years before returning. durring that time i started on a lil something called hydrocodone cuz my back was shot from 8-9 years at the factory so to work everyday i had these little pills and it was like tweekin without all the delusanal shit back on my game but soon those increased from 500 mg to 750 to1000mg 280 a month. then i got cut off by my dr for pissin durty with pot and zanex. so insted of withdrawls a close family member who me and my kids were staying with was on a hell of a lot of meds cuz of a near fatal car wreck years prior so she gave me some methadone it was better than the hydros untill i was out then i learned the pill thing was geting popular around town so id try oxy roxy diladid ext but stayd mainly on the dones at that time 3 4 a day and i was good. one nice spring day i was rideing my motorcycle and got nearly hit by a drunk driver and wrecked my motorcycle fractured 3 vertabre in my spine broke my tailbone broke my foot in a few places hurt both knees but the worse break at that time was my tailbone. I was lifelined to a major hospitle in our states capitol to save my life sat in the hospitle for 3 month's once home i was in a spinal brace for anouther 4 month's. It was very bad i ofcoarse was on a insane amout of pain killers i was OFFICALLY addictid to morphine and oxy pluse valum. but once i was home and in a bad place mentally i lost my job cuz of the wreck the driver was an illeagle mexican who got deported for this so i was without a pot to piss in lost my lifes savings ect. i said fuk it learned how i could really get high agin like the good old days so i started snorting oxy then morphine thenwhen my scrips were reduced id get stronger meds2 years later present time i get morphine and go thru it fast cuz of my depression i just want to stay high if i can my family did a intervention with me cuz i was bad on doin oxy 80s and about a handfull of zanex and doing things i wouldnt remember so i quit that shit but have since found and love fentanyl patches smokin them ill get 7-8 of em and start smokin and finish the last one 3-4 days later i hear that kills people but between the pain from injerys and not being able to even live like a normal person i dont know why i just dont care Id never want to check out for my kids sake but hell ive had it all and lost it all and cant even get cleared to work so i try to be normal cuz i have such a high tolerance to opiats it takes 7 100mcg fent patches to get reliefe oxys are op now. i get percocets too i snort them and i dont know why cuz i get no reliefe and always run out. sorry if this is too long it is my drug life story different drugs different times of my life.

Informant #284228: No

Informant #284273: I smoke in the evening, but remain sober for the majority of the day. I only smoke when it's time to lay back and relax, and I don't smoke at all when I feel stressed out. I enjoy taking psychedelics. Use varies from once every weekend to a hand full of times a year. In the past I've used a wide range of drugs, but came to find marijuana and typical psychedelics a good place to settle down. I am an undergraduate college student, currently getting strait A's through all of my classes. I also work full time as a robotics/machine operator.

Informant #284601: Control is key. Believing people can't control themselves is only going to cause problems. While it's true that many people can't, the problem generally doesn't lie within the individual...

Informant #284950: I started smoking ciggarettes and then marijuana, followed by alcohol, which lead me to my pill addiciton which lasted a few years and is not fully over. The use of rollz and cocaine led me to stay away from the pills and then i moved into only pure MDMA and not 'rollz' and then i became sick of that high, now i only smoke my cigs with weed occasionally, and some weekends i go out and drink or get a few pills like benzo's or opoids and relax. I would deffinately say alcohol was my gateway drug, as opposed to marijuana.

Informant #285012: I was confused how you wanted prescription drugs classified, as are you grouping the controlled or scheduled types with the most recognizable illicit drug from their class, while prescription drugs that are not scheduled are considered legal highs? For instance, you ask specifically about methamphetamine but never about any other amphetamines, so I responded no. Also, you ignored the category of sedative-hypnotics, which I can understand because they are rarely a drug of abuse solely by themselves.

Informant #285025: Just f***ing legalize it all. It would bring the country out of debt, but regulate it like alcohol and tobacco, our crime rate would go down, plants would open and unemployment would go down. There is no way the black market will go away. And as long as it stays illegal, there will be drug cartels, prisons over crowded, beatings, prostitution, more country deficit to fight a losing war, and people will keep dying in the streets to make that money. That's what it's all about, that money.

Informant #285053: bitches aint shit but hoes and tricks

Informant #285090: You need to fix your survey so there are options for people who have never done "drugs" to some of these questions. Also I have drunken soda with caffeine in it, you should list that by coffee.

Informant #285102: I'm an everyday user of weed, but believe I should cut down a little bit. There are certain other drugs that I believe should be legalized, or at least de-criminalized. I live in downtown Toronto if that helps the study at all.

Informant #285146: I smoke Marijuana daily. It does have a negative affect on my life. It is a depressant. Naturally, I have depression issues. I did not start smoking at all until I was 18 and was introduced to it through my mother, not friends or peers. Did not become a daily habit until 23, which means I did not find it addictive in a chemical sense. Now that I'm a daily smoker, it's a habit, not an addiction. I do other activities that I associate with smoking marijuana, primarily among them, gaming. The two go hand in hand for me. Makes for poorer performance in games I play more often than not, but it's still enjoyable. I have never, and will never, do anything harder than mushrooms. This has been easy for me to accomplish because I've seen the destruction that other drugs can bring. Even marijuana is bad enough. It makes you lazy, and it costs a fair amount as well.

Informant #285169: This survey has quite a few problems with it - answers and questions are too specific and leave a lot of possibilities unconsidered. I don't think there should be a minimum age for marijuana use. I don't use drugs anymore, but had to select answers for some questions which suggested that I do.

Informant #285197: Survey answer options sucked. They pointed that everyone does drugs and that the only reason to stop would be to have gotten sick. You'll get a nicely skewed results from this survey making it pretty much pointless.

Informant #285228: Personal responsibility is extremely important for safe drug use. I don't drink or smoke if I know they'll be detrimental to me in the immediate future (such as not partying the day before classes or work). I believe people should have a choice about what they do with their bodies-- especially if they're not causing harm to anyone else. I made the personal decision to never take any drug that needs injected, snorted, or swallowed unless it's prescribed by a medical professional. Despite being in multiple situations with readily available hallucinogens and other popular party drugs, the only drugs I will ever use are alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and cannabis.

Informant #285267: the only drugs I do are caffeine and alcohol I support legalizing marijuana, although I wouldn't touch the stuff myself. I would support legalizing some other drugs, but not the really dangerous ones like meth that can hook someone after a single hit.

Informant #285291: I suffered a variety of illnesses in my younger years for which I was prescribed a range of medication. As what I took at the time was sanctioned by medical professionals I feel that my current 'abuse' of drugs is not an issue as I am not taking as much now as what I was forced to take as a child. At the moment I don't take drugs to get high but to 'get normal'. I even mix drugs to alieviate or minimise effects of other drugs. A few times in my life I've tried to stop taking them but in the end decide each time that quitting isn't worth the withdrawl symptoms. Nor do I see my drinking as a problem. I drink a few times a week however as my family drinks daily I see my own behaviour as restrained.

Informant #285359: I feel like 'legal highs' is a pretty wide variety of different substances. You have dissociative hallucinogens like salvia and DXM, anaesthetics like nitrous oxide, gaba-ergics like kava, opiates like kratom, serotonergic hallucinogens like hawaiian baby woodrose and some phenethylamines, not to mention assorted inhalants. Perhaps you could include a field to specify which of these are applicable? Also I think it was question 12 that referred to question 10, but meant to refer to question 11.

Informant #285542: I'd just like to say that misinformation about drugs creates a far more serious situation than educating about them would. No one can argue that knowing what you're getting into when you pick up a drug is safer than having tons of misconceptions about them. Especially if those misconceptions were given to them by their teachers, parents, and police officers. People are going to do drugs, whether they're illegal or not. People like to feel good, they like to feel different. They have for thousands of years. Drugs can be bad, but they can also increase quality of life a lot if used responsibly. Education about them and dropping all the scare tactics is the first step to responsible use.

Informant #285897: Although I've always enjoyed marijuana, psychedelics are more choice, especially those under the Phenethylamines side of the menu. Favorite of all I'd have to say would be LSD, followed by Peyote, then on to the 2C family. Have pretty much tried all that came my way, as well as many from the Tihkal index. Life is a trip, tripping makes life better. As for the legal issues, I've done so many drug-related crimes, so many thousands of these alleged crimes, that I don't pay much attention any more.

Informant #285905: Your survey is interesting, but a little confusing - For example, you ask if one grew up in a one or two parent home - I lived in a two parent home until my parents divorced when I was fifteen - so I didn't know how to answer that question. Also, it's confusing to state "I used to until it made me sick," as an option. There are a lot of drugs that people simply grow out of or stop taking not due to sickness. Maybe change it to, "I used to, but I don't anymore." Anyway, good research!

Informant #285984: I think its natural to want to experiment with the mind. Also i think people like to escape this crazy reality sometimes. It's Is a shame the only drug thats legal, alcohol, does nothing for you, but plants like mushrooms and cannabis, plants that make you see through all the BS in this world, they are illegal. its all about the money i guess

Informant #286019: drugs are for dumb asses who get money from the govt. because they cant work. tax payers supply sec. 8 . food stamps. well fare. disibility, they get high off that money. selling food stamps. and buying drugs, alc. and ex are party drugs so there goes millions of students from college and high school

Informant #286099: Coffee and Tobacco are a daily use for me, less frequently (approx once a week) i use marijuana, alcohol, or recently JWH-018. I have also had previous experiences with prescription pain medication, DXM, Diphenhydramine, Adderal, and Ritalin. Of those i would only ever consider DXM use again. I feel that the drug war is failing and a well regulated drug industy would be a much better substitute.

Informant #286172: i only do drugs when i'm with friends (which is quite a bit) but in my opinion doing drugs by yourself is a bit sad. It's a social thing to me

Informant #286195: Due to prohibition I rarely get the chance to use the drugs of choice. Therefor I've mostly been using substances I would other wise stay clear of. Not saying they are bad, but things almost always go in that direction for. I've had some very rough times with my drug use which has forced me into taking time of every now and then, but I still prefer to use some drugs at least. The bad thing about this is the fact that I believe illegal drugs are putting many users in a lot of danger due to things of this nature. People just need something and they will be using it, if drugs were legal the market would be safe and drug users in a much better place over all. Current drug prohibition is ruining loads of things for all society and I think this will need to be changed soon.

Informant #286224: You don't ask if your drugs are PRESCRIBED or purchased illegally. I'd like to see demographics on that.

Informant #286352: Pills, lots of pills, stimulants opiates muscle relaxants tryptamines DMT GHB No2 sedatives tranqulizers..

Informant #286366: Drug use was fun until consequences starting catching up to me. I have since stopped all drug use and I know live a productive, sober, and happy life. There is absolutely medical potential in some drugs that are currently illegal, but utmost care should be used during administration.

Informant #286395: I am a father and a Grandpa. I am a supervisor at work. I have done some serious time- 12+ years on a 14 yr. bit this last (3rd) bit w/ the BOP. I am still using.

Informant #286660: most people say weed isnt qddictive but it is to me. if i go too long without it i get anxious and get headaches. cocaime is pretty bad too.

Informant #286809: I would like to use MJ more but my job prohibits. I think MJ should be legal but there would be an initial negative affect(such as a spike in accidents from irresponsible users).

Informant #287135: Never did any drugs up until the very end of high school and college. I came from a stable middle class family, no problems behaviorally during my upbringing. Maintained good grade throughout all of school (3.8 GPA cumulative, 33 on the ACT). I was vehemently anti-drug up until the age of 17. I smoked a few cigarettes when I was 16 and tried marijuana once when I was 17 then again when 18 prior to going to college. After going to college began smoking marijuana multiple times daily. In a given week I would smoke about a quarter ounce. During that first semester I exclusively used marijuana and occasionally drank alcohol. Maintained a 3.7 GPA for the semester. Second semester I began experimenting with different substances. During the second semester I tried LSD, Mushrooms, Cocaine, Ecstasy, DMT, Oxycontin, and a few assorted experimental research chemicals. Also started drinking regularly and continued smoking marijuana daily. My grades plummeted and I ended up having to leave college for the time being due to my drug and alcohol use. I still haven't gone back but I'm now relatively successful, having been employed steadily now for 2 years with one of the large cell phone providers in the country working as a network engineer. While my combination of drug and alcohol use did cause problems for me when it started getting out of control in college, I don't regret my experiences for a moment. They taught me more about myself then I ever knew and I think they helped me mature in the end. I maintain to this day that psychedelics (LSD in particular) have completely changed my outlook on life in a positive way. I feel a closer relationship and a much deeper appreciation for the world around me and the simple things in life. I used LSD probably around 40 times and I can remember each one of those trips because they were all so unique and mind expanding. I've stopped using everything except for marijuana occasionally (diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, I use it as opposed to medications, the prescriptions always had negative side effects). I think that people can use drugs to enhance their lives but it has to be done correctly and it depends on the individual. Hope my story helped a bit.

Informant #288541: Weed Blow Pills is all i use and dont plan on using any other and none of these drugs really make me feel like i need more than what it takes to get high

Informant #289030: Marijuana is amazing and lsd is f***ing crazy hahaha in a good way

Informant #289274: Tobacco, Hash, Acid, Mandrax, Heroin, Valeron in Germany. When I got back to the States the Heroin was crap, but better than nothing. Someone gave me Percocet (I said: "What are these, Sweet Tarts." That was in Florida. When I arrived in Colorado I had a pin in my hip, painful. I found out through the Grapevine there was a Doctor that would write anything: Dilaudid 4mg, Levorphanol 2mg, Valium 10mg, Tuinal. He lost his Schedule II privileges, so I settled for Tussionex. Then in 1983 to 1990 I got into the speed scene. I was going to College and started making it, my major was Chemistry. Back then we used P2P. I got busted twice in 1986 and went to a 2 year drug program to avoid prison. I worked their for a year, then landed a job at a Toxicology Lab. Back then, they didn't do background checks and I scored 3rd on the test to get the job out of 30 people applying. That lasted 2 years, then started dipping the the Drug Cabinet. I got busted again for Attempt to Manufacter a Controlled Substance. I went to Prison then. 1990 was my last cook, and never want to get near that stuff again. Through the years I relapsed got clean. My main problem is Suboxone and Benzo's and drink if I run out of Benzo's. I've been doing them consistenly for 5 years, and read it can take up to a year to get my brain right. I've gone the Oxycontin route, Methadone, Tar. I feel the brain after 36 years of opiate us rewires it and feel no hope in recovery w/o Suboxone. Thats what happened to me in the States.

Informant #293344: Most drugs used other than pot were years ago. Now interested in RCs

Informant #293557: Tobacco at a young age was definatelly the gateway for me. It was the thrill of "getting away with it" that led to further reckless behavior, ie., alcohol at 16, marijuana soon after. Hash and LSD followed, then cocaine and finally methamphetamine. Currently experimenting with ethnos on a very limited basis (study only, not use). Numerous trips to jail/prison failed to end the fascination with the original thrill. Currently substance free for the last 5 years.

Informant #298769: For the question asking what age I started using drugs, I put down 15, because that's when I smoked weed for the first time. My first sip of alcohol I believe was whenever I was 13 (maybe younger, but I don't remember) and I smoked my first cigarette whenever I was 14 (but didn't have another one until I was 16). I don't smoke cigarettes anymore, only sheesha (hookah), and not very often. As a matter of fact, I promised myself that I would not smoke it more than once a month (if even at all). But, of course, I love Mary Jane, and smoke it (usually) whenever I get the chance. =) As for the war on drugs, people just need to accept the fact that no matter how many more drug busts are made, no matter how much harsher penalties are imposed, and no matter how many more PSAs are aired, drugs are NEVER going away! If there is a demand, there will always be a supply. So we could either keep doing this same old shit for years and years and pretend like there's progress, or we could make some REAL progress and look at the drug issue rationally and productively. Legalization would be the best solution, or at the very least, decriminalization. We need to stop putting people into jail for choosing to use mind-altering substances. The war on drugs is a war on the people.

Informant #310726: I F***ING LOVE COCAINE

Informant #311096: I have never had any illegal drug and never plan to.

Informant #329783: Alcohol=win

Informant #343535: On the issue of cannabis legalisation I think that if it is not legalised it should at least be decriminalised. The punishment for cannabis possession and use is completely disproportionate to the alleged 'harm' it causes (my states cannabis laws aren't too bad compared to other places). I think cannabis and drug use in general is a personal choice and as long as you use responsibly and considerately, and understand the consequences of doing so then you should be free to exercise your right to choose how to live. In any case, I believe cannabis is alot better than alcohol. When people get drunk they can get aggressive, sleazy and just generally be an a**hole, where as when people get high they just laugh, chill and eat. What's so bad about that ?

Informant #352969: I started using drugs at the age of 18. I haven't been using them very long, and I haven't tried many. There are a few I'd like to still try, but my boyfriend wouldn't approve, and therefore I am quitting for him. I do still smoke cigarettes or cigarillos in social situations, but I have never been addicted to anything except caffeine.

Informant #356406: I didn't really like the fact that on 2 of the questions I wasn't given an option to say "no i don't like my drug use it only has negative affects". I was only given these "yes i enjoy my drug use", "I enjoy it, but I think it has negative on my life " etc. Even though I only drank alcohol and smoked marijuana once It made me never ever want to do it again and I hate myself for doing it. Those 2 questions made it seem like I was a total drug addict and i am nowhere near that. And not all people who take this survey are drug addicts or even do drugs so they should have an appropriate and accurate option for them for each question.

Informant #358410: Really interesting survey. Glad I participated. good luck with your work.

Informant #358541: just a few clarifications: 1. i grew up in what i would consider a broken home even though my mother and stepfather were still living in the same house when i moved out at 17. i wouldn't say that this affected my drug use (caused me to use or use more as a direct reaction to family issues) except in the sense that there was a definite lack of supervision during my adolescence, which led to excesses that wouldn't have normally been possible. 2. i responded to the gateway drug question with none/not applicable because well before i started using drugs, maybe as early as ten, i had a fascination with the idea of drugs. it would really have to be that fascination more than anything else that contributed to my recreational haphazardness.

Informant #358621: My drug use started out as a way to get out and party. But it moved into a more personal setting and became more introspective and less reckless. As I have gained more insite into substances the risks lower.

Informant #358693: I drink more than anything else, but If given a choice I prefer cocaine. I am not able to do it as often as other things because of the price.

Informant #360020: From an objective point of view, I come from an incredibly stable family and have suffered none of the apparent major traumas/abuses that lead others to use/abuse drugs. However, in addition to having inherited the "addiction potential" from one side of my family (where the majority have eventually turned to drug use or addictive behavior of some kind) through my mother, I have also been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. This, I feel, is the major component in my decision to use and abuse drugs. Obviously it isn't uncommon for those with behavioral issues, mood disorders, etc. to do this. And that is precisely the point. People tend to indulge in drug use in response to variables that heavily impact their lives and minds: boredom, fear, shame, lack of self-worth, guilt, and so on. The 14-year-old girl who goes out drinking every weekend because she lives in a hostile or unsatisfying environment isn't so different from the manic depressive shooting meth because it makes him feel "normal". In my case--and in those of countless, COUNTLESS others--the use of drugs and the frequently subsequent addiction was merely a symptom of a larger problem: evidence of a disease, but perhaps not a disease in and of itself.

Informant #360605: I dont do it anymore.

Informant #362172: I smoked pot and consumed alcohol all through high school and graduated with Honors, not top of my class but I wasn't really trying, Anyway I had a kid with my wife at 29 years of age so I quit smoking pot because I didn't want to do anything illegal that would jeopardize my parental rights, more recently I found out about what I call legal regal (spice ect) and enjoyed that for a while but now it too is illegal in my home state (PA) so that's the end of that unless the law changes or I stubble across something else that I feel is safe/effective AND legal for weekend recreational use since my job also requires piss test for employment.

Informant #362185: Started drinking alcohol at 17 years old, drank heavily/binge drank on weekends for about 2-3 years, then suddenly stopped without withdrawal or any trouble. To clarify answers regarding medical marijuana: I think much more research is necessary before it can be appropriately rescheduled. Besides once trying cocaine, once trying marijuana (brownie form), and once trying phenazepam while it is unscheduled (I counted this as a "legal high" even though it's technically considered an illegal high as an analog once it is consumed, I think), I haven't had the compulsion to try any other substances nor developed a habit to try any of the aforementioned substances a second time. Any other substance use is as prescribed for medicinal purposes only.

Informant #362189: I use legally prescribed opiates to treat a painful case of spinal stenosis, and a host of other problems. I typically take them as prescribed, but occasionally encounter difficult days and take 1-2 more pills than prescribed. I am not a recreational drug user, and given the choice I would rather have my pain cured than anything. Since that is not possible, I rely on the opiates to survive day to day, and even then I am in constant pain any time I am on my feet or sitting. If I am not the type of drug user this survey was intended for, I apologize. I came across the link while researching muscle relaxants.

Informant #363039: hey hey hey hey, smoke weed everyday

Informant #365021: This was flawed by misspellings, incorrect questions such as answering 'other' to the wrong question #-question12 and 14 on the second page. Question 10 on the second page should be omitted or re worded since it is not illegal to abuse any drug. I really do not have a drug of choice so question 2 on this page needs work. The drugs I take are necessary for treatment of my disabilities.

Informant #365868: drug of choice is both ecstasy and psychedelics- take by eating lesser drug of choice is cocaine- taken by snorting

Informant #366230: Although I do not smoke weed, I do feel that the evidence of positive effects it would have on those with serious medical illness is overwhelming. I am also in favor of MDMA use for PTSD suffers, and Heroin use for end of life care. These drugs have amazing possibilities to improve human life.

Informant #375477: I am a female in my early thirties. I have a college degree and a steady job of nine years. I have a toddler and a teenager who died earlier this year due to complications from cerebral palsy. I am separated from the father, living with a boyfriend for the past year. My boyfriend is unemployed, currently about to start looking for work. I have credit card, mortgage, and car loan debt and although I have a job paying a little over $50,000 a year, I do not make enough money to cover my bills and daycare for my son. I feel frustrated that I went to college and got a "decent job" but still can not afford to live without using credit cards. I don't expect help from the government or the corporations for this situation, but I feel pessimistic about the economy and would very much like to see the situation improve before I go bankrupt. I feel strongly that my drug use is a personal choice, that I am responsible enough to make this decision, and that the government should not be able to dictate my choices as long as I am not harming others. I use drugs because I enjoy the way they make me feel. I have never been arrested for drug use. I use illegal drugs much less frequently than I used to and rely on "bath salts" and K2 for legal highs. When these substances are criminalized, I believe the results will be poorer quality substitutes for the current formulations, which are already poorer quality substitutes for previous formulations. I would be more likely to seek out marijuana and methamphetamine in the absence of legal replacements. Government bans on drugs do not stop drug use- they only encourage more dangerous forms of the banned substances to be used.

Informant #383747: Its comletley stupid and illogical that tabacco cigaretts are legal but marijuana isnt. Im an ex pot head, i quit with no real withdrawls and have blazed once in 6 months on my birthday. im now physically addicted to cigaretts, with so many failed attempts it doesnt seem worth trying to quit anymore.

Informant #393227: i smoke snort and drink

Informant #393698: There is no option to address those of us who used drugs extensively but no longer do because of the negative consequences of abuse,loss of control and addiction/dependence.

Informant #402818: I often use Gamma Hydroxybutyrate/juuuuuiiiice! (full pulls) brb blowing out.

Informant #414787: I only use prescribed drugs but I believe that legal drugs are just as addictive as none illegal.

Informant #416753: love xanax but definitely had very bad effects from using them ...seizures mainly and the worst jugdment calls I've made were all made while on them, but I still love the high from them. The stealing is what I really don't get. Never do I do it sober and never have I done it on any other drug. I've even heard friends of mine say they would steal for some reason too after they tried them and some of these people don't do any drugs at all they've just experimented with a few. If someone has a logical reason for this behavior related to xanax abuse I'd love to hear it because I still can't wrap my head around it.

Informant #429512: As to the last question I smoke, eat, and drink some drugs every day.

Informant #449162: Some of these questions don't give the choice of my actual situation/ history. I used alcohol heavily along with several other drugs for a period of years. I have since become abstinent of all drugs other then caffeine. I did not really find a way to may the drop boxes fit this situation.

Informant #449164: i used to addicted to heroin and other opiates via intravenous use, am not clean. i am working on my life, however when i get off i will use things like lsd, thc, on occasion, even snort coke sometimes. theres is a lot to drug usage and you poll does not come close to covering the reasons why people use them, also there were some pretty simple f*** ups like asking "if answered other to number 10" when number ten couldn't be answered by other. do some f***ing homework, were not stupid junkies, im half drunk from down town and i can tell how poorly thrown together this was. you need to do more diligent work to get a good, honest response.

Informant #449166: I love snorting adderall

Informant #449168: Although I enjoy heroin, I haven't used it since 2010. In the last 6 months I've smoked powdered fentanyl once. Opiates have been the most effective substance in alleviating my anxiety.

Informant #449172: I'm more or less willing to try anything as long as I know a fair amount about the substance in question. Having learned as much as I have about heroin and methamphetamine I will most likely never touch them. I'll also never shoot anything, far too great a risk. San Francisco and the Bay Area, and down to Santa Cruz are areas where drugs of all types are readily available, which I think has definitely added to my stance on drugs and my usage in general.

Informant #449182: i do think getaway theory should be based on friends, if one's friends never did drugs, how would they share? (not the peer pressure, the opposite)

Informant #450714: The first drug I ever tried was given to me by a doctor, it was Adderall for ADD. I was only ten years old and I am certain that adderall messed with my brain and had negative effects on my still growing brain. I've hated doctors ever since. How dare he give Amphetamine (which is what adderall is) to a child to take every single day. I used to be hooked on Benzodiazepines but have since quit and now I only use Cannabis and Kratom to combat my social anxiety. They do wonders.

Informant #452465: Besides marijuana, I also enjoy Hydrocodone/Oxycodone and Alprazolam. I do those two substances MAYBE once a week. I have not yet had any problems with tolerance being too high or addiction to anything except nicotine. I smoke cigarettes because I literally enjoy smoking them. Once I start smoking 10+ cigs a day and only smoke to maintain an addiction, I will quit. I am also prescribed and take daily (200mg) Sertraline and (10mg) Methylphenidate LA. I used to enjoy doing DXM but I had to stop because I am on an SSRI and that puts me at a risk of serotonin syndrome. Three times I have tripped on low doses of Diphenhydramine which I did not find as frightening as people make it out to be. I am quite high on marijuana right now and thoroughly enjoyed writing this. Now I am going to put some eyedrops in and go upstairs to play Scattergories with my family.

Informant #452469: Naturally occurring drugs are much more reputable in my book than anything man made.

Informant #453059: Used and enjoyed all A-Phenylethylamines I could get a hold of, but never to the point of abuse, more of an opportunistic thing. Was prescribed an opiate (vicodin/hydrocodone) but found that I HAD to inhale it over the recommended dose just for it to do was it was supposed to do (take edge off pain, not get high). Tried spice, hated it. Tried Salvia, did nothing. Used DMAA, easy come, easy go - used for staying awake as needed and food substitute as needed. Raspberry Ketones as a Meth substitute - hardest to get and stay clean from.

Informant #453523: Inhalation, as in using a vaporizer for marijuana.

Informant #456255: Smoking for marijuana, insufflation for cocaine and MDMA

Informant #456321: As for #4 the individual drug is the deciding factor for the ROA. If its LSD I eat or hold it in my mouth, if it is weed i smoke it, if its an opiate I eat or IV it. the question is not very well thought out. just because people like to smoke doesnt mean that they can smoke all the diferent types of drugs. And for #2, my drug of choise is slowly switching from psychidelics to opiets as i have started to use opiets and have started to become addicted or atleast habituated to there use. I would like to make a statement to cover the overall question that was presented to me for this survey as a whole. "why do people use drugs?" Well I use them primarily to "feel good", secondly I use them to have insight into life, reality, and myself. It all started whith a desire to see all that could be seen and to understand more than was presented to us on a dayly basis. This however turned into purly seeking gratification and searching for euphoria instead of trying to find the answers. I started to "I just want to feel good" all the time. I think it was the opiets that started this behavior. when I hadnt tried them yet I had a vigor and lust for life. Now I "just want to feel good"! I am still intregued by the search for knowledge, but constantly find myself uncosiously seeking out the opiets instead.

Informant #458284: alcohol and cocain are my primary doc but lately ive been keeping away from them because ive found adderall which is good because i am addicted to coke and alcohol but may be bad if i become dependent on adderall

Informant #465292: Some of the questions seemed a little nonspecific. I understand why, I just think it might help to rephrase some of them.

Informant #465383: For "How do you usually use drugs?" I said other because there isn't a usual method I use, some I smoke, some I drink, some I eat, some I snort, but I never inject.

Informant #466912: Many of these questions felt like 'push' questions. Few had exactly my feelings as an option. For example, am I glad I use drugs? Glad? It's just something I do. I have a beer, or a glass of wine, or a mixed drink before or with dinner, maybe twice a week. I don't drink more because I know it would adversely affect me. I don't drink less because I like the taste. And I don't think the legalization of all drugs would be 'great' but it's the closest option. What I think is the money and energy expended in a futile effort to control drug use is a complete waste. It's an expensive, non-productive piece of our GDP. Legalization would be far cheaper in every sense. With the forbidden fruit appeal taken away social costs (addiction) would be less than our fears would suggest . Bottom line, drugs, in very limited use, are minimally harmful and possibly beneficial. Given that, they're dangerous, but criminalizing them simply makes them attractive in the wrong way. We don't have to tell parents to teach their kids to not play stickball on the freeway. We know it's dangerous, and we teach accordingly. When someone tells us what to teach our kids, some will teach the contrary, and many will do the contrary. Rules should be used sparingly, and carry strong consequences. Otherwise they just feel intrusive, restrictive, and uninformed, and are more likely to inspire rebellion than compliance.

Informant #473185: I find the term gateway drug very overly used everyone has self constraint and will set their mind to what they want their limits to be. If someone is going to try heroin from the use of marijuana i would find that complete and utter bullshit pardon my french but all my friends have set standards as to what drugs they will stick too even before the use of cannabis or alcohol. If anything i would call the legal alcohol the gateway drug because it is one of the most addictive and mind altering experiences you will have which will soon make you more curious as to trying other substances

Informant #476595: I really like cocaine as well but I know I can't do that too often... Sucks... it should be less addictive. I think it's a good thing if marijuana would be legalised, and I don't even like it. Legalizing marijuana would mean a decrease in crime, possibility to put taxes on it and have a better view on how much and how often it's used. I put cocaine as my gateway drug because it's the first drug I did besides marijuana. and as I said I didn't like marijuana so it didn't encourage me to use a different drug. I've used since my first time coke (end of last year): XTC (pills, really nice onces strongest were around 200mg, and MDMA crystals), Speed, GHB, Poppers, 6-APB, 4-FA and some more coke. And a lot of alcohol is consumed weekly.

Informant #482299: I smoke dope everyday, provided I have it. I live a normal life. I work, I sleep, I go outside, I shower, I do my hair and makeup, I hang with family and friends. I don't think the goverment is out to get me, and I don't sleep around. I don't have sores on my face, and I don't steal or hurt people. Sometimes I have tweaker moments, but the only thing that happens is I take drug surveys because I'm bored, and i organize things.

Informant #484280: I put alcohol as my drug of choice only because I have always been an alcoholic. Since I tried meth a few months ago, I've been using it every weekend, and it has made me not want to drink, as on meth alcohol has no effect. Weed also doesn't have much effect on meth, so I've cut down on that too. I know I have an addictive personality, and am a little worried that I will let meth creep into my weekday use instead of keeping it on the weekends. Also, I'm worried it will give me a heartattack or stroke or something, and really--I don't want to die. But it feels so good, and lasts so long, and is so inexpensive. I know, as an overweight woman of almost 50, many people would think it insane that I start using meth. My mother died just 2 weeks before I started using, on my 49th birthday with my younger brother, who is a regular user. Thing is, I have a good job, and a home, and a teenager. I CANNOT let my drug use interfere with my life at all. And actually, since it keeps me away from booze, which causes me to black out, it's almost a GOOD thing. meth just makes me feel good, have no aches and pains, lots of energy, and slightly eufforic for 8-10 hours!!

Informant #485331: I've used drugs in all ways including intravenously. I think it should be legal for a grown American to come home from a hard days work and get a buzz. I don't like beer or liquor.

Informant #486760: Used to be an iv opiate user, Havent used a needle in 4 years, and have been off the methadone 3 years.

Informant #490131: On the questions I answered used to until it made me sick should be until I was tired of the way that I felt the next day. The answers "I can't stop" should be "I don't want to" for marijuana, and, "I no longer suffer from migraines & I do not get upper respiratory infections that for 20 years straight I suffered every summer, since I started using methamphetamine on a regular basis. It also helps me to live without chronic back pain I have had since I was 28 years old when an accident ripped the muscles all the way down away from the left side of my spine. It now has a permanent 'S' curve, which has taken away almost 2" of height. I still wake up in so much pain that I need either a cane or to use a rope hanging from my ceiling with a horizontal handle that I installed over the bed.

Informant #495041: They're so fun at first, you don't notice or don't care about the negatives. Then suddenly you've lost who you used to be and it happened while you were so busy having "fun". You started down a slippery slope.

Informant #507735: i am a recovering alcoholic, and i smoke weed to have fun. i also enjoy tripping, rolling on ecstacy, and using DXM as it is legallly attainable to someone of my age and provides a powerful high. i have used other drugs, such as cocaine, but never really got into any. i am a STRONG supporter of general legalization, as i am oppseto the abuse and violence intenrent in the drug war, as well as being philosophically opposed to the prohibition of any substance or commotdity, as such policices are foolhearty, psuedomoralistic, and invaribaly lead to a rise in both criminal and law enforcement violence.furthermore i would like to say that i feel that if the anti drug enforcement commuinty remains defiant to the will of the people, millitant action may become nesscary on the part of the populace

Informant #509141: You completely left out stimulants, prescription pills, most depressants... why? Could have been a bigger survey.

Informant #512184: Even though I started drinking and smoking marijuana at 13 I didn't consider myself to have a drug problem until I tried prescription pain pills at 19. I had stopped drinking at the age of 21, and after that stuck to opioids and marijuana until I was arrested at 24 for charges related to my drug use. Since then I have been sober.

Informant #534595: I use any possible route of administration, that will get me the highest possible at that moment.

Informant #547969: I think it might get you more info if you allowed people to free text their answers, as used hard, played hard, but am in recovery now, longer than 11.5 years.

Informant #566219: Good survey but I think the options are too limited. For instance, options such as "unable to answer, my drug of choice depends on what type of experience I am seeking" or "too many factors to choose" should be options. Drug use is much more complex than many think, and should be acknowledged as such.

Informant #583983: Even though heroin is my drug of choice, I'm on subutex that I inject and I'm trying to quit but I can't. I also use benzos daily because of bad anxiety issues but I don't abuse it. I use alcohol daily to enhance the effects of the other drugs and I smoke marijuana daily as well.

Informant #617764: I have a suggestion regarding the "which state are you from" question. For example, I'm FROM California but now reside in North Carolina. Wasn't quite sure what to answer but chose California since it IS where I'm from. Oh yeah, the word "cocaine" is misspelled in the answer list for the "drug of choice" question.

Informant #623278: I believe that the responsible use of drugs in safe environment with positive intentions can be extremely beneficial for people, and that many drugs (especially MDMA and various psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD) have huge potential to be used in therapy to help people deal with emotional crises and mental health issues. They also have the potential to destroy someone's life if used in a non-therapeutic and irresponsible way. Harm reduction and proper education is so important!

Informant #656087: Psychedelics and marijuana help me with depression.

Informant #672750: I just quit I've meth because it was going to kill me through my liver.

Informant #716933: A couple questions are hard to answer; i started smoking cigarettes at 10, and marijuana and opiates around 14. also, the last question is difficult because i smoke cigarettes, i also like to drink occasionally, and i both snort and eat pills, as well as sub lingual depending on what it is.

Informant #1216357: I believe people have the right to choose what they injest, whether food or mood altering substances. That said, I think some drugs are truly too dangerous to be freely available to the public, like fentanil and methaquallone. So in certain cases, outlawing a compound is necessary. But only in rare cases. The US has gone drug-outlawing-crazy in the last 40 years or so, and much of the world looks to us for guidance. I have been physically addicted to opiates and learned the hard way that some drugs need more caution than others. The drug war budget would be much better spent educating the public and feeding the hungry, not putting people in jail for excercising what I consider one of their human rights. And while I have the podium, I want to say that alcohol has caused more tragedies and deaths than all the other recreational drugs combined. What the hell kind of system keeps that legal but outlaws MDMA, possibly the most useful psychiatric tool ever discovered? (also one of the best sexual aids I've ever discovered) I'm also pissed that I never got to try bath salts, which I understand mainly consisted of methylone. The documentation is sparse and questionable, but it sounds like alot of fun if used responsibly. Either way, I, and ONLY I, should be able to decide for myself.

Informant #2029979: No

Informant #2126659: I started drinking at 12 with one drink. Then, through school I began to drink more. I thought maybe I had a problem. Then, after I turned 21 and had a child it wasn't easy to drink anymore. I then only drank occasionally. At one point I didn't drink at all. Now, I drink only occasionally one or two drinks but not daily, or even weekly. Occasionally.