Suzie, harm minimisation is the perspective that those who are already involved in potentially harmful activities can benefit greatly from reduction or elimination of any harm that might occur. In relation to drug taking it’s a movement which promotes acknowledging that people are taking drugs so, while not making it easy for them we should do all we can to make sure their lack of awareness of the dangers (and simple “drugs are bad” messages do not increase awareness) don’t end up hurting them.

You’re right on both counts. Many people don’t realise that different people react differently to drugs, but also that the same person can react differently to the same drug on different occasions. Any experience which includes as much of a mental side as drugs will vary a lot depending on the state of mind and body of the person taking them.

So there are two components we can advise upon, the physical side (what effects drugs have on the body, interactions between different drugs, general advice e.g., keep hydrated but don’t drink too much), and the mental side (the importance of set and setting, psychological addiction, peer group pressure). We can’t advise on what will happen, but we can advise on what’s likely.

What is harm-minimisation? I think different people have different experiences with different drugs, and it’s almost impossible to advise upon? Any attempt to change perspective - drugs, meditation, fasting, shamanic journeying - can have negative consequences as well as positive ones?

Ultimately how could your parents (or your friends over here) not respect the choices you make, including sharing this story, as they are such an integral part of what makes you you.

Much respect!
Jenni

Who doesn’t have things in their past they might wish they could do over or never have done at all? I do. Keeping secrets is deadly to feeling good about yourself and being real in the world. Courage to stand up for ones’s values and convictions in the face of negative ramifications and potential loss definitely takes courage. I too salute you for doing something for the experience, learning from it and using what you learned to move forward in your life. Who better to talk about something they’re passionate about than someone who has “been there and done that?”

I don’t think we give ourselves enough credit for what we do and who we are. We get so bogged down in our own dramas and judgments we forget to to acknowledge our courage to show up - to ourselves and to others.

To me, it’s all about integrity. At the end of the day, you must face yourself. I hope you like what you see in the mirror. I sure do!

Thanks for playing. This meme is going wonderful places. I’m thrilled.

Hmmm - I’m thinking of revisiting my original post and adding a bit more.

Cheers,
Lorraine

Having the courage to actually write about it is also very impressive to me. When I think about this meme, it seems to be an open challenge to dig deep and display moments in our lives that we might otherwise keep buried, perhaps even moments that we might keep from ourselves. Bringing them up and sharing them with the world shows that courage, and I would like to thank you for trusting your readership with this inspiring story. I can’t speak for everyone, but my opinion of you went up a couple of notches, not down.