Are there more deaths by legal or illegal drugs?

[ookami]

The thing is More peole over dose with leagle drugs than leagle also there are alot more people who use legal drugs what do you thnk?:confused:

[Rain]

More deaths by legal drugs by overdosing

that isn't the whole point at all sadly

we also need to think about other forms of death, caused by long time use for example

plus, the numbers themselves aren't quiote as dramatic as the %'s. If there is one illegal drug user for every 100 legal drug users then i would amost expect the legal drugs to cause more, if just by accident, because there are so many more

and, not just direct deaths, but indirectly, so for example if you're high and drive and hit someone, if they die, that should be counted, because it would not have happened if illegal drugs were involved (in most cases)

[Revan1990]

depends what you include in legal drugs...I remember reading a statistic which said that there are more deaths becuase of smoking normal cigartettes then because of Suicide, assassination and abuse of narcotic drugs together.
So I guess more ppl die because of legal then because of Illegal drugs, furthermore more ppl use consume drugs, since they are legal, you can get them anywhere, Illegal drugs on the other hand are more difficult to get.

[Grey1x]

Yeah, legal drugs like normal cigarettes are pretty much more common, thus, there are more people smoking it and getting dead by it. But there's a diffrence. While on illegal drugs you may die due to an overdose, on cigarettes it's usually of sickness like cancer, so, I really dunno, but I think legal ones kill more.

THis is an interesting topic.

[ookami]

you just did my science work thank you I have a free lesson tommorw. But its constantly obsessed by the media saying these illegal drugs are causing people to kile over and die when its the legal ones that do this.Propaganda but it is a really touchy issue for some people as a lot more deaths now are caused by drugs whether they are legal, illegal, accidental or on purpose.

[Grey1x]

Well, the reason people die with legal drugs isn't the state fault by selling them legally. It's the persons who conseume it fault.

[IngenuityGap]

You really have to break up the legal and illegal drugs into different types. For example, in the legal drugs category you have everything from tobacco to caffeine to alcohol to various types of prescription drugs. All of these have different toxicity points and different rates of consumption.


Similarly, in the category of illegal drugs you have the range from marijuana to cocaine to opiates to heavily synthesized drugs like PCP, E, meth, etc. While marijuana has no death linked to usage it's very easy to overdose or pick up quick, violent side effects from other available illegals (most man made chemical drugs).


The largest problem in terms of dose is the synthesizing and concentration of natural chemicals into something much more potent. The coca plant has been used for health benefits in the native populations of South America for hundreds of years. The process to make cocaine concentrates the the natural chemical found in these plants by an incredible amount, far exceeding what could be found naturally. The result is something that is much easier to overdose on, to abuse, and to cause permanent damage.


The best way to differentiate is to educate. www.erowid.com is a good place to start.

[Revan1990]

Well, the reason people die with legal drugs isn't the state fault by selling them legally. It's the persons who conseume it faul
Exactly.
you can't blame the laws for human stupidity

[kiera2]

Cigarettes are the only legally available product that, when used exactly as intended, can kill you.

There are certainly a hell of a lot of alcohol-related deaths, but I have no idea what the numbers are like proportional to the number of consumers.

[HELLA PINOY]

Since ciggs and pain pills are legal then I say legal drugs.

You have so many people overdosing on drugs readily available, like pain killers, loratabs, inhaling, etc.

[ookami]

I've added a poll to collect data. The legal drugs are alot easier to get than illegal and There will be a lot of unrecorded deaths by people messing up with dosage in hodpitals.

[saladin]

Well true there are more deaths by legal drugs but I'm sure illegal drugs can kill you a lot faster and they are more leathal! We should all watch train spotters!

[ookami]

Train spotters clap clap though train spotters is a good example we should be going of government figures. right?

[kiera2]

I've added a poll to collect data.
Eh? Basically every reply in this thread has been "I'm tempted to think this way, but I don't know for sure." Just what sort of 'data' do you think you can collect from this group of people?

If you want numbers, you should really go do some proper research.

And I still prefer Layer Cake as my British drug-related movie of choice. XXXX is great.

[IngenuityGap]

Well true there are more deaths by legal drugs but I'm sure illegal drugs can kill you a lot faster and they are more leathal! We should all watch train spotters!

heroin =/= all illegal drugs

As I stated before, there is a wide variety in legal and illegal drugs. Their doses and their LD50 levels. An overdose of aspirin is as deadly as an overdose of opiates. Train Spotting deals with junkies that are really, really heavy into the scene.


Marijuana is illegal, but not lethal. Alcohol is legal, but is lethal.

[ookami]

I collect a lot of data its my hobby! But really there are far more Legal drugs at easy access that can kill you I mean If your health is bad like you have a servere heart condition Caffine alone can kill you. I have a lot of caffine every day I don't actually know anyone that doesn't start the day with caffine or has it during the day think About how many people smoke though the toxic chemicals may seem more leathal withdrawl symptoms can be worse.

Errm trainspotters is the most drugs related hard hitting film about drugs made it is like the S.A.S of drugs filims!

http://www.medic8.com/lung-disorders/index.htm

This may help some of these diseases are caused by smoking its practically a database full of diseases I'm sure there some stuff about drug useage in there.

[kiera2]

I just don't see how the 'data' will be of any use at all.

And I have seen Trainspotting more than once, I just prefer Layer Cake as a film :P

[IngenuityGap]

I just don't see how the 'data' will be of any use at all.

And I have seen Trainspotting more than once, I just prefer Layer Cake as a film :P

Good taste~


Spun is another good drug-themed movie, but it leaves a bad taste in your mouth at the end.

[bradc]

There's no difference between legal and illegal drugs; bad drug or good drug; they both kill you either way when one overdose or pop those pills with alcohol. Medicine are call drugs or another word use, but they kill you either way, still dangerous. Lost count of how many celebrities and musicians died from using prescribe drugs from their doctors, or sniffling coke up their own nose to pass time.

Heard of the movie, Requiem for a Dream?

[IngenuityGap]

Heard of the movie, Requiem for a Dream?

That movie is so damn sad.

[bradc]

That movie is so damn sad.

It is, but it gives a message that people continue do dumb things 8(

I guess some people, celebrities and musicians that are made out to be crack-potheads and die from their stupidity from these drug overdose. Cocaine and Marijuana smuggling continues to happen, among other drugs regardless being legal or not. Even the law cannot stop them all.

[ookami]

I wonder how many people were taken are steered away from drugs when that filim was released.

[bradc]

I wonder how many people were taken are steered away from drugs when that filim was released.

Probably not many; only smart people stay away from drugs 8(

[IngenuityGap]

Oh, so you don't drink? No coffee either? How about aspirin? Any prescriptions?

[bradc]

Oh, so you don't drink? No coffee either? How about aspirin? Any prescriptions?

Good or bad; everything kills you. Just some things kills you faster than some.

[kiera2]

Probably not many; only smart people stay away from drugs 8(
Way to oversimplify and generalise about one of society's most complex problems.

[bradc]

Way to oversimplify and generalise about one of society's most complex problems.

Another way to put it, people are eating healthier and taking care of their bodies than relying on pills all the time and getting sick. That or health care system needs to fix for those who are poor and cannot afford it, however they manage to get the drug is beyond me; or certain sick symptom one doesn't have shouldn't be popping pills for no reasons... Either way the problems are still there.

[IngenuityGap]

Good or bad; everything kills you. Just some things kills you faster than some.

Don't dodge the question. You said only smart people stay away from drugs. What about people who fall into any of the categories I named? Is their intelligence determined by what they take? Are you only smart if you completely swear off any chemical drugs? What about herbal ones then?


Vague generalizations don't make for good discussion.

[LUV]

I voted for more ppl die from legal drugs. Well, I am only talking in the US here, b/c, well, I don't know what legal or illegal in other countries.

Anyways, ppl don't always understand that a doctor gives you prescription based on your weight and everything else, some ppl think that if you take more of a certain drug, that you will heal longer, I guess thats why so many deaths happen.

Lately I've heard of little toddlers who overdose with the cough medicine, simply b/c the parent/s didn't bother to read and follow instructions. I guess its up to all of us to be more careful about how we take our madications.

As for illegal drugs, it doesn't matter whether you are smart, or dumb, drugs can still play a role in your life. Sure, you might be smart enough, but it don't mean that you can handle peer pressure. It all depends on the person, and how that person is raised.

For example, a straight A student, doing coke with the cool gusy, why? To fit in, so, yeah, it all depends on the kind of person you are, smarts play a part, but not a big one.

[IngenuityGap]

For example, a straight A student, doing coke with the cool gusy, why? To fit in, so, yeah, it all depends on the kind of person you are, smarts play a part, but not a big one.

A fair number of students I know (knew?, it's been a while) got into harder drugs trying to find something to give them more pep or help concentrate better to get through a tough exam or some hellish studying.

Another guy I know is into coke almost as an escape mechanism from the grief of his father dying last year.

There are as many motivations as there are types of people.

[Tomodachi69]

Interesting topic, I didn't read through the other pages of debate, though. Just the first.

Anyway, I'd say legal drugs cause more deaths that illegal ones. I think there are more deaths by overdose/off-counter usage/long time usage of legal drugs (ie. cigarettes, pills) than recreational use of illicit drugs, such as LSD and speed.

Illicit drugs are probably more likely to cause long-term brain damage depending on the intensity, but due to the availability, and thus, abusability, of legal drugs, I'd vote legal drugs being more 'deadly'.

[IngenuityGap]

In an interesting sidebar, Albert Hofman died on the 29th of April at the age of 102. He was the man who invented LSD.

[ookami]

Well No Asprin, pain killers , caffine nothing is like saying you've gone through your life with like no ,inurys, ailments or havent woke up late on a rough morning before!

[beautiful_death]

I'd say legal drugs because of its incredible availability, and anyone can access it, regardless of laws.
With prescription pills: We live in a pill-happy reality. The pharmaceutical companies make bank on our illnesses and pump us full of harmful substances that are marketed to be beneficial, but can cause ugly side effects or even long-term consequences on health.

[rei_ai]

I'd say illegal drugs, since they are not that carefully watched.

Legal drugs, especially the prescription drugs, are not dispensed without a prescription. So, they are controlled.

Indeed there are many cases of overdoses. One must remember that all drugs are poisonous at a certain dose, that's why pharmacists are there to counsel the patients in taking their drugs at the right time and dosage.

Illegal drugs are rampant and not controlled, so anyone can take it at any time and at any dose. Besides people who take those won't really listen to anyone's advice or counseling.

[IngenuityGap]

Besides people who take those won't really listen to anyone's advice or counseling.

Oh really?

[ookami]

Well people do get clean people do quit but for that they need advice and counciling. They cannot go through withdrawl symptoms on there own they would end up dieing due to stress or killing themselves so they would listen to a lot of people.¬¬ duh.

[IngenuityGap]

Well people do get clean people do quit but for that they need advice and counciling. They cannot go through withdrawl symptoms on there own they would end up dieing due to stress or killing themselves so they would listen to a lot of people.¬¬ duh.

And how many illegal drugs do you think have that severe of a withdrawal? Can you name which ones do and don't?

How about legal drugs that have withdrawal symptoms?



I'm not trying to be an ass here, but the point is things get generalized far too much in these debates. NOT ALL ILLEGAL DRUGS ARE THE SAME. Marijuana has no withdrawal, opiates have severe physical and mental withdrawal symptoms. This includes legal opiates that are often prescribed with little regard to the original condition other than the relieving some pain. Ironically, when the medication is no longer used one of the complains is SEVERE muscle pain.

[bradc]

People are not that clean (laughs)

Even the normal consummation of caffeine or chocolate, and smoking wormwood (cigarettes); the human brain produces a drug/chemical call Endorphin. Food products such as spices and chocolate makes the body feel good that is no different from sex between two people. Smoking and drinking caffeine also wakes up the brain as doing sports and exercises where the brain naturally produces these chemicals.

Plants and herbs use for drugs-vitamins-medicine produces different chemicals. How much being consumes can have effect on the body for over a period of time, thus taken in moderation. However, everyone bodies are different from one another. For example; a person can smoke for a long time without dying from cancer, than another person who smokes for a shorter period time miraculously dies from cancer.

There's no line what's illegal and legal drug; it's how much is being consumed and the chemicals that it produces into the human body reacts to different herbs and foods, medicine and drugs.

However, some drugs such as cocaine and marijuana, various types of pills that are illegal are still heavily regulated from smuggling through the borders. Even a small amount could have the person be sentence to jail time in some countries; these are usually through illegal activities.

[IngenuityGap]

People are not that clean (laughs)

You still have not answered the question. What is the difference in morality between a legal drug that kills you and an illegal one that doesn't? What if the legality was influenced by heavily biased studies (including a report from a scientist, while under oath, that when he smoked marijuana he turned into a bat with six inch fangs and flew around his office) and propaganda about Mexican immigrants?

[bradc]

You still have not answered the question. What is the difference in morality between a legal drug that kills you and an illegal one that doesn't? What if the legality was influenced by heavily biased studies (including a report from a scientist, while under oath, that when he smoked marijuana he turned into a bat with six inch fangs and flew around his office) and propaganda about Mexican immigrants?

Ancient ancestors of Aztec or Chile Culture use to smoke as a type of drug or certain belief of morality and sacrifices. People from this day still smoke whatever type of drugs or pop pills whatever they can get their hands on. As time accumulates it kills the white blood cells in the body, boost more of the cancer blood cells causing the body to decay.

Even the normal food the body consumes can kill the body, but at a much slower rate than much stronger plants and herbs used for medicine and drugs. Plants and herbs have numbers as do the Periodic Table used for science of other chemicals.

Consummation of alcohol are made of fruits and plants herbs; usually drink in moderation or drink with every meal. However, if one overdose from drinking alcohol for a period of time it can cause harm to the body. Including non-alcoholic beverages since it boost the sugar level of the body just the same.

[Babbo]

And how many illegal drugs do you think have that severe of a withdrawal? Can you name which ones do and don't?

How about legal drugs that have withdrawal symptoms?



I'm not trying to be an ass here, but the point is things get generalized far too much in these debates. NOT ALL ILLEGAL DRUGS ARE THE SAME. Marijuana has no withdrawal, opiates have severe physical and mental withdrawal symptoms. This includes legal opiates that are often prescribed with little regard to the original condition other than the relieving some pain. Ironically, when the medication is no longer used one of the complains is SEVERE muscle pain.

Um very debatable there. Google up "marijuana withdrawal" and you will pull up a) studies on it (many of them suggesting it be added to DSM-V) b) people talking about withdrawal symptoms they've suffered and c) detox and Marijuana sites describing withdrawal symptoms.

[IngenuityGap]

Um very debatable there. Google up "marijuana withdrawal" and you will pull up a) studies on it (many of them suggesting it be added to DSM-V) b) people talking about withdrawal symptoms they've suffered and c) detox and Marijuana sites describing withdrawal symptoms.

Pardon, my phrasing should have been better there. The withdrawal symptoms that you get from going from a daily smoke to none is incredibly minor. Mainly psychological, no physical, and producing the same level of anxiety as someone "addicted to video games". That is, missing the daily event and pining for it, but not shutting down without it.

This is a drug that is severely misclassified and it's insulting to even put it in the same breath as MDMA, cocaine, or heroin.

[ookami]

We can all agree that the legal drugs are more easy to access than illegal drugs plus theres a lot less halabalou mabout it!