How big of a deal is this...

[BrokenHeart315]

So there are two girls who I am friends with, though I am not very close to. Over Halloween weekend I was invited to a party at one's house, with about thirty or so people invited. I had show choir choreography for 12 hours beforehand so I did not go, but several of my friends did. Talking to one of my best friends, I was surprised to hear that both these girls and a couple others had been smoking pot at this party. It was only a small group and a lot of people left after the pot came out. I was very disappointed to learn that these girls weren't as smart as I thought.
Our school has a very strict drug policy, and they could get in major trouble for what they did. I'm not turning them in because it was just a little pot and it sounds as if they were just smoking it to look cool. I just hope that they figure it out and stop. But I'm worried about what I should do if I fing out they've been experimenting with other drugs.
Any thoughts?

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Before worrying about them possibly experimenting, consider the situation they were in. A large amount of teens drinking and partying, so they may have tried the pot to fit in and not have done it otherwise. Given they did this, there's also a good chance they were intoxicated. If they're experimenting with other drugs, it depends on the type of drug, frequency, dosage and how they're getting them. If you want to try to help them, try getting closer to them but I wouldn't heckle them about what they did and be overbearing.

[Dana]

Pot is not really considered a 'gateway' drug. A lot of people (at least where I'm from) have tried pot at least once or smoke it a couple times a month or one occasion. It's not really considered a big deal. In fact, California has been trying to legalize it and some counties no longer enforce pot laws because it's not worth their time (pretty harmless and so many people are smoking it).

So I don't think you should be worried about the pot itself per say. What you should be worried about is your friends being peer pressured into doing things they're not comfortable with (if indeed that is the case). But if you think your friends have good heads on their shoulders then I wouldn't worry about it, and I think talking to them about it will only make them defensive and create a rift between you. Smoking a little pot does not make you into a drug addict.

[taylalatbh.]

If you're concerned about your friends, talk to them and let them know about your concerns. But ultimately, it's their choice what they do, and if they want to then they will.

Take care.

[Synaestheasiaen]

There is no such thing as a gateway drug. It's a ridiculous scare tactic that alleviates blame from the user to the drug itself. Marijuana is a schedule I drug..being put above Cocaine and amphetamines as a more lethal & dangerous drug. When Marijuana is called a gateway, it's like..you're gonna tell me that Marijuana is a gateway drug that leads to LESS dangerous drugs?..."Oh no, it leads to much MORE dangerous drugs." Makes no sense. The choices leading to drug use are of ultimately the user, and the user alone. You can be influenced sure, but you're the one making the decision. I'm not directing this at anyone in particular either.

Pretty much what you need to know OP, is that smoking pot does not make you any less smarter or clever than you would normally be otherwise if you didn't smoke pot. That's kind of degrading to say that the girls who you saw smoking were not as "smart" as you thought. Take a visit to Erowid.org and get the straight facts on pot because trust me, it's not as bad as it's made out to be and you will be the one to figure that out for yourself. Just because people smoke a little weed does not mean in any way they are going to try more drugs and if they do, so be it. It's not your problem and not your business what other people do. If it's causing nothing but a mess of destruction and it is apparent in the user, then I would start making other arrangements but as of right now, leave it alone.

[BrokenHeart315]

Um I was kinda asking what I should do if I found out they were doing more serious drugs...

[mIssIng:nO]

Originally Posted by BrokenHeart315

Um I was kinda asking what I should do if I found out they were doing more serious drugs...

Tell them everything you need to tell them, but as soon as you start pushing your own beliefs (i,e certain people dont think drugs are as bad as others) it may ruin the friendship, obviously if they're risking they're health you should intervene, but even if they decide to do shrooms once every 5-6 months or so its not as bad as everyone thinks. And its they're decision to make, don't be a mother hen and try to dictate everything your friends do, your a bad friend if you do, obviously caring about they're choices is what friends do, but don't ever try to force what YOU believe on THEM, its they're life and theyre choices


Moderation is key, supervision is needed.

[Chazzz]

Belle, at the end of the day... You should do nothing. If they have chosen to experiment with drugs then that is their choice. At the end of the day, it's their life and I am sure they are perfectly aware of the implications it may have on their education should the school find out.

As their friend, I perhaps advise that you tell them to research a drug before they take it, but otherwise... You don't really have a right to stop them experimenting. It's what a lot of young teens do - they're just living their lives the way they want to live them. There's nothing wrong with taking a little step of the track and trying the little odd thing. If you live life sheltered, by the book, it's just a wasted life.

[Brandon]

If they are doing something that you don't agree with, then you shouldn't be friends with them.