JNRL102 – Blown Away

“It’s amazing what people will do to deny the dangers of the things they tend to like.“

― Dr Howard Markel

Cocaine, a designer drug which exploded into the party scene during the 1970’s and 1980’s didn’t always have the bad name associated with it. Some of the greatest medical practitioners ever including Sigmund Freud and William Halsted praised cocaine as a wonder drug that could cure all.

However after a short period of time these practitioners became addicted and were experience severe side effects, despite this they didn’t believe the drug was to blame. Samuel*, a 20 year old student and regular drug user, typically takes a concoction of illicit substances whilst out partying on a Wednesday or Saturday night. Similar to Freud and Halsted, Samuel doesn’t believe that the drugs are the issue to his problems.

Samuel is a third year university student who grew up in Sydney but has since moved down to Wollongong for his studies. In his first encounter with illicit drugs he was sold a fake ecstasy tablet. However, this didn’t deter him from entering into the underground world of illicit drug taking. He first started taking drugs at music festivals but has since extended his behaviour to parties and nights out. Samuel is now split between two friendship groups; his Sydney friends who engage in recreational drug use and his Wollongong friends who are more aware of the side effects of illicit substances.

Since he first started consuming drugs Samuel hasn’t experience any severe side effects. Despite no severe side effects, he is becoming a burden on his Wollongong friends and his actions are straining their relationship. Whilst he is quiet about his drug taking habits, the majority of his close friends in Wollongong are becoming aware of his increasingly irrational behaviour. Childhood friend Samantha, also attends university in Wollongong with Samuel and is becoming increasingly alarmed at Samuel’s drug use.  She states; “A lot of people can’t handle it now and when we are out a lot of people just let him go off because they are sick of it and can’t look after him anymore”

Whilst his close friends are becoming aware of his hidden actions, his parents still remain in the dark about his recreational drug use. When asked if his parents knew about Samuel’s drug taking his joked to the camera saying “They are very against it and would probably kill me if they knew”. However with him not wanting to change his actions it is only a matter of time before what is hidden is brought to light.

* Name changed for privacy reasons

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**If you are suffering from drug addiction or drug related problems please contact**

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