anecdotal evidence is poor evidence.

What would be an example of non-anecdotal evidence in assessing the psychological effects of a drug?

anecdotal evidence is poor evidence.

I’ve heard that. I don’t believe it!

http://suburra.com/blog/2011/10/05/addictive-personality/

I don’t bother to point out the bad because 99% of the media focuses solely on the bad so I don’t think it is necessary to present that side.

My “Bible Study” piece was satirical. I admit multiple times in the comments section it was mere speculation. I believe my speculation had more evidence than the “bath salts” theory, but your “we don’t know” what drove the Causeway Cannibal is obviously accurate.

Thanks for the “counterweight” compliment.

I’m sure they had some really great buzzes, too…should we legalize alcohol, too?

No, wait…

Is my story just as valid?

As far as “face eating” goes, no human flesh was found in the guys stomach.

“But, as you see, it’s a beautiful day, the beaches are open and people are having a wonderful time. Amity, as you know, means friendship.”

Oh, you mean like BATH SALTS.

While I hate taking drugs, the reality is the modern world we live in is screwed up as far as drugs go & individual freedoms go. Not too sure how I feel about legalization, but the attitude is basically, “Look, people are clearly making & taking this stuff on their own… So just legalize it so people can make their own decisions.  And let them deal with it.  And man, while I never truly understood the legalization of drugs before, I am slowly understanding it more & more now.

The temptation of “forbidden fruit” really drives a lot of people to do hard drugs. Get rid of that aspect and there is more perspective.

And FWIW, just look at alcohol. I personally know how Vodka affects me versus beer. So I know when is right to drink Vodka & when I simply can’t.  And nobody gives me crap about that.  Let that happen with stimulants versus pot—for example—and things might be better.

Then again, what do I know. But I do know the demonization of drugs is not working. It doesn’t change squat.

the takeaway:
face eating dude wasn’t on drugs
face eating dude was crazy
crazy is the problem
people like to pretend that drugs are the problem so they can make them illegal and sleep at night

making drugs illegal effectively deregulates them and removes all control and safety from their use.

The guy also used the word “quack” to describe an actual, licensed, professionally trained doctor. Libel.

The “face eating cannibal” could have even been smoking addictive tobacco cigarettes, for all we know. As far as “face eating” goes, no human flesh was found in the guys stomach.

I’m all for ‘legalize everything’, but equally pro ‘eradicate the PVs from the planet’ cos they’re fucking awful. Worse than crack IMO. At least crack smoke tastes nice, and compared to smoking PV on a regular basis,  only makes you a little crazy (not even remotely joking). 20 quid’s worth of Rock (or decent enough coke to make your own) is what, 3 hits, max? An hour’s entertainment, at the most (cheaper than fairground rides by almost half though, I’ve worked it out). 20 quid’s worth of PV can keep you up and bat-shit crazy for a week,  easy.

Anyway, that’s what keeps me with my simple and singular maryjane vice. I got into my twenties and was just. too. tired. if I indulged in anything capitalacronymed.

BoingBoing is killin me too wit frequent mention of and Xeni’s pretty pictures of buds. I’m all sympathy sober for my partner, and after the pregnant is over I’ll be way to busy for at least another 9 months. 

But then! then I’ll have a small amount here and there.

Your “Did Bible Study and Anti-Drug Vow cause the Miami Cannibal Attack” strongly implies that the answer to that question is “yes”.  You’re careful to never assert it as fact, instead dancing around with phrases like “it is highly probable”.  My own suspicion is that the true answer is much closer to “we don’t know, and we won’t know, and neither bible study, nor drugs, nor withdrawal are commonly linked with violent cannibal attacks”

I see you as a useful antidote to police statements, in much the way that I see Michael Moore as a valuable counterweight to Fox News.  

“Kids these days will do anything to get high. Snorting bath salts, what’s next?”

It seemed obvious that the first question should be “Why are these luxury bath salts selling for $25 for a quarter gram at gas stations and head shops while most other traditional bath additives are $5 a pound?” The answer of course being because they are an unregulated synthetic stimulant which is not intended to be used as directed.

I would not expect our experience with legalized drugs to be very different from legalized tobacco or alcohol: Chronic health problems, mental health disorders, increased healthcare expenditures, increased domestic violence, collateral deaths, addiction and a general attenuation of life purpose, meaning and productivity. 

Arguing the merits of individual drugs is interesting, but the good doctor’s anecdotal assessment is akin to a positive review of a particular casino’s blackjack table: harmless entertainment for most. First world problems.

However, as much as I dislike drugs and drug cartels, there is not much evidence that the war on drugs is very effective, and I have come to understand firsthand that the criminalization and marginalization of users may be significant hindrances to recovery.

Furthermore, it is a fallacy to assume since this face-eater might n0t have taken bath salts then the bath salts are safe. They were banned in Washington State after a soldier killed himself, his girlfriend, and likely their son. The couple tested positive for the drug.