[Hitman]

I might be a bit radical in this, but IMO anyone who needs drugs to have fun ("recreational use") has a psychological/psychiatric problem. Drugs are just that, drugs, i.e. "soft" poison that doesn't kill you but intoxicates your brain and nerves, changing your perception of joy, risk, pleasure and pain. If you need drugs to really really enjoy being with friends, having sex with your wife/girlfirend/whoever, or simply stop being shy, you have a BIG problem. Sport -though not in excess- and healthy diet as care for the body, and meditation/philosophy, plus intense, non-egoist and sincere family and friendship relations plus mental games for the mind are what will provide you the best balance and more intense satisfaction. Drugs are just the easy way, the way for cowards or subjects with a lack of personality and will. A bad remedy to enjoy life during their effects and just feel miserable later.

As for the difference between "legalized" drugs and "illegal" drugs, I must say that I personally don't smoke and hate cigarretes, while I drink only in weekends beer and ocasionally wine. Rarely, a glass of whisky or preferably Armagnac. Those drinks I enjoy for their taste and not for the alcohol effect, which is very mild if taken with moderation. In turn, it is well documented that beer and wine have healthy properties (A daily glass of Red wine reduces your chances of heart attacks) and help your stomach make the digestion of the meals (Also the Cognac/Armagnac). Plus beer has lots of nutritive elements.

Thus, taken with moderation, beer, wine and some spirits are a healthy thing that comes with a small non-healthy part (The alcohol), which is not different than some meal (F.e. you can eat things that have good properties but come with some cholesterol). Moderation is the key to enjoy their benefits while not suffering from their drawbacks.

That is WAY different than smoking ordinary tobacco or Marihuana, not to mention LSD and harder things. All those substances do anything good for your body but instead just produce an intoxication. The joy of that intoxication is artificial and temporary, and produces no benefit. Instead, it will just leave you with a stronger desire to have it back, as you body gest used to feeling well and relaxed only by using them.

I know I'm preaching in the desert, but everybody should experience at least once in his life what a healthy body and mind feels like. I know it's a hard way, but if you persevere and discover it, you will never like anything else.

My 2 cents