As an ex-heavy user, I'm guessing I probably used to come across like dogoid is here. I don't deny having enjoyed it, having open conversations and getting absorbed in music, getting to know my friends better and having a laugh. However, looking back, those things would likely have happened anyway, as it was a social situation with good friends and a relaxed mood.
It's when I realised that the mental link was too strong between "relaxed mood + good time" and smoking that I cut it down, and eventually out of my routine, as I noticed the bad effects it was having on my motivation and concentration in everyday life.
I didn't used to buy in to the whole bit about it destroying lives, and while I'd still consider that a little extreme, since stopping myself I've watched the effect it's had on new friends from university. Most never smoked before starting, but over the course of last year, gradually got more and more in to it, to the stage where they're now an almost entirely exclusive group. That's not to say they wont let other people in, there's just no reason other people would want to, as most of what they're saying is either inane ramblings or .. silence, while they **** in front of family guy. I don't object to either of these as such, but not every night, every day - smoking is the activity, as opposed to an accompaniment to doing something else.
The two people I live with this year are two such people, a guy and a girl, and I know they're both awesome, but I just can't talk to them any more. Which is a shame, really. The girl's also since dropped out of uni, and I can say now I probably wouldn't live here again...which is sad, as I've had a great time with them in the past.
I don't want to sound like some zealous, born again anti drug campaigner, as that's very far from the truth, I'm just bitter about losing some friends and not sold on the concept that it's in ay way necessary to be an open minded, outward looking person.
Anyway, sorry, that was way too much of a rant about something I think I've been bottling up for a while
On topic- I'm a little conflicted. Yes, it was a daft thing for him to do, carrying drugs internationally is always foolish, let alone to the ME. I do believe he should follow their laws while there. I don't agree with the law, but I'd be aware of it and the risk involved if I chose to break it. In any case, I do feel for the guy for losing so much of his life.
