Just Say No?

The authorities say that drugs are bad. Drugs do people in, break up families, liquefy minds and have all sorts of horrible side effects including withdrawal symptoms. All this would be well and good were it not so that mind-altering drugs are actively being administered in response to certain exceptional psychiatric cases. It would appear that psychotropic drugs are issued only to keep people docile and within the norms of consciousness (at a superficial level at least). As such, it seems to be the case that hallucinogenic drugs are controlled not just because of potential permanent damage (which may not be the case for all drugs within the classification) but in the interests of "law and order" whereby people keep their consciousness fully rooted in "reality".

It is strange that such drugs are not being administered under close medical supervision to give people the chance to experience such alteration of consciousness or at least to understand their effects at a scientific level. Alcohol may have similar effects on the consciousness by nature of its action, yet is not strictly controlled despite being associated with numerous deaths and injuries. It is probably better that takers of hallucinogenic drugs come under the purview of medical professionals rather than self-dosing on illegal products of dubious potency and getting harmed and/or harming others in the process.

The issue at hand appears to be a fear of the "insanity" (altered perceptions) experienced under influence than any real fear of bodily harm. Carcinogens are being actively studied even though known carcinogenic foods are being purveyed and consumed. Hence, it may be better that hallucinogenic drugs be studied rather than banned, giving people the potential of vacations from reality with minimal risks.