Australia's stance on drugs

If there are any other Australians reading, I'm sure you'll know what I'm talking about.

Alcohol - Advertised prolifically, very often with large billboards at the side of the road - associating drinking with driving from the word go. Also, always tagged with the message "Enjoy responsibly".

Drink driving - A major problem, strongly discouraged and millions are spent on campaigns every year or so. See my point about Alcohol, though.

Gambling - "The tax on stupidity" - obviously enough people are dumb enough to take the thought of winning seriously enough that they spend enough to fuck up their entire life, hence the "Gamble responsibly" campaigns.

Smoking - Personally, haven't got a problem with it. Can understand but can't sympathise with smokers who are "addicted". I enjoy the occasional cigarette, have for years. Cigarettes will kill you and do all sorts of nasty shit to your body if they don't, says The Man. Millions poured into "Quit" campaigns, hotlines, and advertising.

Drugs - Illegal. No "enjoy responsibly", no "Quit" hotlines, no support for clinics or recovering addicts - demonisation for the latter. Just a big fat "No" and extreme prejudice from the general population, coupled with a confident naivety that allows them to look down on any user of any drug (other than alcohol and prescription meds) with contempt.

Seems a little off kilter, is all. Discuss? Or has it been done to death?

Note: sif post on 420chan.

well like you said you dont sympathise w/ addicted smokers i dont really sympathise w/ "addicted" drug users.

Well, if I might add something: I don't sympathise with them because I've done what they've done and never felt compelled to make a destructive habit of it. RE: those addicted to illicit substances, i feel pretty much the same - the only difference being that i pity those addicted to illicit drugs more due to the fact that they hit rock bottom so much harder. (getting into amphetamines or opiates without any knowledge of what they do physiologically and mentally is practically a death sentence)

true, there should be more info given to people, ill give you that