These Illegal Drugs Are Important Medicines | The War on Drugs

A hidden effect of the War on Drugs - people across the world are unable to get medicines they actually need.
From delays in access and research into cannabis-based medicines to driving a street-valium crisis in Scotland to critical pain-relief shortages across the global south, we explore how the War on Drugs impacts the medical world, causing massive, unnecessary suffering along the way.
For half a century, prohibition has been causing chaos and misery worldwide. Any attempt to shut down the drugs trade invariably sets off a chain of events that just makes things worse, leaving a trail of death, illness, violence, slavery, addiction, crime and inequality across the globe. The War On Drugs is a war in which everyone loses - except, in a weird kind of way, the drugs themselves.
Watch more from this series:
The Prescription Drug Epidemic
• How America Got Hooked...
The War on Drugs is Racist to the core
• The War on Drugs is De...
A World on Speed
• Debunking Crystal Meth...
Psychedelics
• Can Psychedelics Make ...
Cocaine
• Why Cocaine is Worth S...
The Media
• The Media Lies About D...
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[@VICE]

Watch more of The War on Drug series here: kzbin.info/aero/PLDbSvEZka6GGanXjSfH1bQNVheppFQWWo

[@viktorgarcia6279]

love you vice B mine lmao

[@valentinagrilli1536]

ciao

[@triggamansa797]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2fGqniea52ZrNE

[@triggamansa797]

@@viktorgarcia6279 kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2fGqniea52ZrNE

[@TritiumCupcakes]

The misinformation on Etizolam is going to make the war on drugs worse as it is already being banned. It is actually one of the safer RC benzos. People rely on being able to order this stuff cheap online instead of relying on fake pills that could have anything in them. Painting etizolam as bad will just force more people to fake pills when they outlaw it! The newest RC benzos have a fluorine substituent at the 2 position on the phenyl group that increases potency incredibly. My ex was addicted to these benzos (Flubromazolam and clonazolam) would take more than 50 mg a day at times when less than half a milligram is as strong as the biggest legal Xanax (alprazolam) tablets that contain 2 mg. ALSO, etizolam doesn’t kill people on its own! Only when in combination with other downers. Benzos just don’t cause the respiratory depression that kills people with other downers, but in combination with other downers it makes it waaaay easier to OD.

[@ryanfouts1200]

The Gov't doesn't care about WHAT drugs you do... They care about WHOSE drugs you do.

[@22Afk]

Correct

[@sonnytopboy4975]

Soooo true

[@karencarpenter5845]

Ryan, beautifully written. Thank you. 💙

[@uthe1beebslightningdri563]

Exactly! I don't know about other governments but the United States government is definitely involved in the black market for drugs! Why do you think over half of our politicians are multi-millionaires when they only make 100 to $200,000 a year?

[@smooth_ops2942]

@@uthe1beebslightningdri563 Ahh the ole pharmaceutical kickbacks to politician's...They are literally a legal cartel.

[@captindo]

Canadian veteran here, veterans affairs pays for 8gs a day of cannabis for my chronic pain and PTSD. It saved my life, my heart goes out to those that needlessly suffer.

[@nathenial7556]

That's alot of weed for 1 person per day.

[@djthegrateone]

@@nathenial7556 i dont think its possible to smoke 8g a day

[@TheMikelynn99]

@@djthegrateone Lmao it's a lot easier than you think. A good blunt is 1.5 , smoking 4-5 a day is easy if you got it like that

[@maxsjoberg788]

@@djthegrateone you wouldnt believe how much some people smoke

[@choronos]

@@TheMikelynn99 If you smoke blunts, I'd advise you to stop and pick up some glass. I was reading on cancer.gov one day, and learned that smoking cannabis does not seem to increase your risk of developing lung cancer. However, if you smoke tobacco AND cannabis, your risk of developing lung cancer skyrockets. Smoking cannabis and tobacco in tandem is far, far worse for your health than smoking just one or the other, it would seem.

[@zOgOs48]

Here's a messed up fact, I can get a job when I was on oxycodone and fentanyl but now that I grow Marijuana and weened myself off pills, I can't get a job. Wonderful world we live in. 🤦‍♂️

[@paralite22]

Thats insane. Congrats on your recovery. Good luck with the job hunt.

[@donnypsycho]

That’s bullshit man! Prescription poison as opposed to plant medicine and yet jobs still will drug test you for weed and fail you if you come up positive, even with a medical card! But if you’re prescribed pharmaceutical heroin, that’s cool, smh

[@Matt85USA]

Same here its fucking dumb. Had to use a wiznator to pass drug test

[@zOgOs48]

@@paralite22 Thanks, that means alot. Hate feeling im doing something wrong now that I'm self sufficient and healthy. Have a job interview the 11th after my birthday, here's hoping. Thanks for the Goodluck.

[@baddassbeccaonig8188]

Congrats on weening though (: Sorry bout the job mate, keep looking! Good luck 👍🏼

[@georgehenry76]

It’s so frustrating knowing that ignorant bureaucrats make these decisions and people suffer so much as a result.

[@ShidaiTaino]

@Jason Tempel why don’t we just kill the WASPs? They caused this

[@kevinc9065]

This is why more medical professionals should run for office and we should support them. We need people who know better on the committees that make these choices. Not some lawschool or poli-sci person that has been a political jockey their whole life.

[@shakeupchristmas]

ignorant is not the correct choice of word. They know what they're doing. A lot of these cases were intentional

[@emmanuelwil-jeff]

As a Canadian and someone who had leg surgery this is insane how can you just leave people in pain like this like something unfortunate happens to a person that was never there plan they didn't want that to happen but it did and morphine could help them but instead usual powers that be can't see past greed power etc it's sad honestly never thought morphine would be part of the "war on drugs" like literally made for pain suppression my heart goes out to these ppl hopefully this will change sooner rather than later or a robin hood will appear hell even a vigilante would work

[@okietc1889]

Like real wars that are fought by kids 18-23, but the wars are declared by 50 - 80 year olds

[@Militant_Twinky_X]

I had a therapist tell me to try marijuana for my anxiety... She couldn't prescribe it, yet, she told me that it would work... It was the best advice I had ever gotten... I no longer deal with panic attacks but I wish that I didn't have to risk jail time for relief...

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

Yep, it saved my life... it has helped me survive autism, anxiety/depression, chronic pain/chronic kidney stones, post-lyme disease and fibromyalgia, and got me off most of the meds I was prescribed.

[@fredeatstheworld308]

i agree i smoke weed for pain relief and for being to anxious. but the police part do gets me especially when you witnessed friends being sniffed out by surveliance. honestly the drug laws are trash. people gonna do them no matter what and politicians should conform to our demands because we pay their wages.

[@555Sludge]

Damn i have the complete opposite effect, as i get older the more anxious weed is making me. Seriously questioning if i even enjoy it anymore, i normally have to take a valium after smoking because im just so on edge and paranoid.

[@yuka-gb4ij]

​@@555Sludgeweed notrouously causes anxiety and panic. This guys lying no phyc doctor would risk there license recomending illegal drugs

[@joshtimmons7332]

Opposite for me. Increases anxiety. Have to have CBD with it or I get crazy anxiety

[@frank-gavinmoratalla7942]

I just had chills run up and down my spine imagining the agony that poor woman was having to endure!!

[@jd-hj5ed]

It was awful. I have been in that much pain before and I can't imagine it going on and on and on and on. She should not have to suffer.

[@lucidtripping9700]

Weed is illegal but cigarettes are legal 🤨

[@lacedchemist1295]

Don't worry, they are trying their hardest to take cigarettes away from us too! I encourage you to read up on the new flavored tobacco and ejuice laws passed in california by governor Newsom. I understand the point you are trying to make, but I think it is a bigger issue than one legal drug being more destructive than an illegal drug. I believe that the much more pressing issue is that of the denial of basic human rights. The government should have no right to deny an individual of their choice on what to put in their body. Even moreso, a government should have no right to deny individuals their right to explore their consciousness in any way they seem fit.

[@shelleyamos5842]

@@lacedchemist1295 the government makes way too much money from cigarettes and alcohol, they’ll never make them illegal. Such hypocrisy! The govt doesn’t care If people die from alcoholism or lung cancer yet try to tell us opioid medication is bad for you because you may become addicted ! You can live a sub par life because the govt deems it in your best interest to live in pain rather than take painkillers....! Laughable!

[@roadhigher]

Tobacco was the first major drug industry in the Western world, they got the head start and shut down any other alternatives before they had a chance to grow to maintain a monopoly. Tobacco companies are amongst the biggest lobbyists and donators to Political parties in the West, and they try their damn hardest to make sure no other drugs become legal as it could threaten their profits.

[@marcl3763]

and look at the damage cigs have done - youve got a dud argument

[@crackcrazy8390]

Hi weed bye cigrette

[@PreciousBoxer]

"Poison is in every thing, and no thing exists without poison. The dosage makes it either a poison or a remedy." - Paracelsus

[@allplanetzooom]

Антидот и яд в одном файле.

[@smooth_ops2942]

Moderation is the key for everything in life👍🏻

[@karencarpenter5845]

@Jason Tempel only if its grown that way, big pharmaceutical is trying to grow pot the same way they used to grow tobacco tons of chemicals.

[@blznft9513]

@@karencarpenter5845 That's right. They've weaponized weed and all that high thc making people more paranoid. They even have genetically modified weed out there & I'm sure the legal dispensarys are full of it

[@verzeda]

@@blznft9513 yeah its still not toxic though. if you have a bad reaction to it or use it too much, it can mess with your mind, but it wont physically harm your body. Unlike alcohol, which does both.

[@alicat7281]

My husband was dying of stage four bone cancer, with months to live, and Walgreens wouldn’t fill his prescription from his oncologist for Percocet, 5 mg. I will never forget that, and I will never shop at Walgreens again.

[@martin-1965]

Words fail me. I cannot imagine how awful that was for you. I have lost my Mother many years ago to cancer but at least she received, here in the UK anyway, full palliative care and whatever drugs were necessary to ease her pain in the final months. I even rolled her some hash spliffs which worked better than the opiates - which was illegal but screw the law at that time anyway - and she could laugh at the TV and eat some food at the very least. This phoney war has to end and a logical approach to drugs across the planet will have to happen but while right wingers and conservatives in all countries see anything that can offer pleasure to ordinary people - or relief from pain for the suffering - as somehow sinful and wrong, they will fight tooth and nail to stop legalisation. No doubt while snorting coke off their black AMEX cards. Once again, my utmost sympathy for what you went through and I just hope one day it will be seen as barbaric as the way we look at the treatment of mental illness in the 19th century and early 20th.

[@amber76OH]

That's heart wrenching, but not shocking, if you're from America. I'm so sorry, and sorry for your loss

[@newyorkforever5779]

some pharmacists act like they are god, its pretty disgusting.

[@h8h81]

@@newyorkforever5779 I've been rejected by many cuz I looked too young. Disgusting it's not up to you it's up to my doc.

[@newyorkforever5779]

@@h8h81 i got shamed by one because im on TRT and the women was projecting that i didnt need it. so totally get it. you're correct its up to the doc.

[@Tryo707]

I have a seizure condition caused by a head injury, and cannabis literally saved my life. I was stuck at home having 10-15 seizures every day, for almost six months. Then the flower entered my life and everything changed. I now am on a specially formulated extract and it gave me so much of my life back. I will never do things like drive a car or go swimming, but I can go out for dinner with friends or go to the bookstore and just peruse the aisles. Those were not options for me before cannabis.

[@DetroitFettyghost]

🙏🙏🙏 Bless REAL medicine. I'm glad u found relief ❤️❤️

[@enyaisrave2831]

❤

[@kcunningham9085]

Does Trileptal or any other medications work for you as well as the Marijuana

[@5head924]

This guy is one of few respectable journalists left at vice.

[@otisdodd6176]

Facts

[@wtross]

Can't find his name???

[@PlatinumBuckGorilla]

Hamilton Morris made it to Swaziland for the love of the strain

[@YesterdayTodayForever]

Just say you like him, he is handsome with brains because I do too

[@joemahma3017]

@@YesterdayTodayForever yeah he’s cute af!

[@foxtailedcritter]

Please never stop making these series. The war on drugs needs to end. The day that war is finnaly given up on I will allow you to stop these series. Too many are suffering to ignore.

[@tegridyfarms6851]

*Swallowing a Xanax with a bottle of vodka, while smoking a cigarette: OK. Smoking a joint to calm your anxiety at nite: NOT OK..... Makes sense*

[@SomePotato]

As someone who briefly took subscribed Benzos, I can easily see how dangerous they are. Their calming effect is really, really powerful. Not a care in the world if you are on Benzos.

[@henkstoomflat8840]

i never tried pain killers. only pain killer i know is the plant with 7 leaves

[@evilferris]

But if drugs are legalized, how to occupy privatized prisons to overflowing? /𝒮𝒶𝓇𝒸𝒶𝓈𝓂

[@jackmarlow4355]

You said sarcasm but that’s a debate that people will genuinely create. Not me, but it would definitely be a legitimate argue

[@sit-insforsithis1568]

Privatized prisons ? In Scotland ?

[@Herearetheundead]

@@sit-insforsithis1568 I think it's obvious which country he is talking about... no need to pretend you're the smart guy lol

[@Yohn2King]

Smugglers would still get put in there or the ones making them. The drugs would need to be lab grade and taxed to make some big money. Tho would still ban heroin and crack, not sure about coke.

[@mikeybct]

There's too much of an economy based on the war on drugs. Prisons CO'S, institutions, police. And then all the jobs and work thats needed to support this. You gotta be a good lil sheep. And fall in line if you don't wanna be a part of that system.

[@nicolawainwright]

This bias exists in patients too- my father, while in hospice care, would fight increases in his pain treatment and would often delay taking scheduled doses out of fear of becoming “an oxy addict”. It was horrendous *this was in March 2020

[@chrissyloren3669]

I went thru the same thing with my husband he passed in pain December 2020.

[@lanietalk]

That’s awful. If you’re in hospice, you’re dying. My dad died of cancer and needed morphine. They gave him a medical card and he didn’t like it. My other family member is dying rn and is being given iv morphine. You won’t be an addict for long because you’ll be dead. I have no doubt my dad was physically reliant on opiates but he knew the cancer was going to kill him from the beginning. Even as a kid, I could see he was in severe pain, and those were the only thing that helped. Opiates are physically addictive, but they’re the best for numbing emotional and physical pain.

[@jd-hj5ed]

This also was my husband. He would only take them at night.

[@JoeSykes94]

I was 15 years old and had surgery on the family jewels and had to have one removed. I was in intense pain and when they have me pain medication it went away completely. When that wore off I felt myself wanting more. I refused anything else and did not take the medication the sent me home with. I dealt with the intense pain for a good two weeks instead of medicating because I didn't want to become addicted.

[@spudOSR]

I had an accident at work and had a spinal fracture and 2 ruptured disks, my spinal cord was being completely crushed, I couldn’t stand or walk for longer than a few minutes and sitting down was impossible without passing out from pain, I spent months bed bound unable to do anything, after 4 months I was prescribed morphine along with many other pain killers, that was 11 years ago I know I’m addicted, I’ve stopped taking them a few times for a week but the pain was to much, I hate being on it but for some reason smoking weed made the pain worse

[@adrianbecerra5139]

I want to congratulate drugs for winning the war on drugs

[@Kage-jk4pj]

Drugs are the undisputed champions of the world. Nothing but W's since the war began.

[@alejandro-bw1ol]

@@Kage-jk4pj yup 🏆🏅

[@dopefpv389]

🎯👏💪💪

[@pauliethompson3922]

Greatest staple ever 💯. Drugs are good you put them in your body every single day unknowingly.

[@BizzeeB]

I wish everyone who made this TIRED fucking comment would just OD already...I mean, it was funny the first 8,000 times. Now? Not so much.

[@cmonster6]

I’m a chronic pain patient who was force tapered off pain medicine a year ago after years of use with no issues My quality of life has plummeted while opioid overdose has gone up across the country

[@JohnnyXanax]

May I inquire what you did next? I have a rare form of nerve cancer and my doctor may be forced to quit my prescriptions over some bureaucratic bullshit...

[@theblondeone8426]

I just had a false positive drug test and been on meds eight yrs so now i got blacklisted in tx no one will prescribe to me

[@aaronhopkins6697]

​@@theblondeone8426me too, not allowed by the police law to use my prescription medicinal cannabis, and I went to my doctor today to get some other medications and was told no sorry I can't help you.

[@h7opolo]

wonderful work, spreading awareness about things that need reform.

[@Ezerael]

Reform coming in the next twenty years or so! be hopeful KEK

[@blznft9513]

@@Ezerael Already a Psychedelic reform happening around the world

[@AdityaVenkatesh101]

Absolutely hurts my heart to see the kind of struggle people are undergoing...Excellent work by vice in opening people's eyes to reality

[@xdef1ne]

I’m so lucky I get prescribed morphine for chronic pain in my lungs. I nearly died 3 times from pneumonia at 20 years old. I feel for everyone out there that are suffering from pain but can’t get the medicine they need to cure / relieve it.

[@Deicide-xi5eo]

It’s not a war on drugs it’s a war on people.

[@triggamansa797]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2fGqniea52ZrNE

[@kamissoko8077]

Always for cash!

[@JunaidKhan-ty8bw]

On people of colour my friend.. Black and brown anyone who isn't white

[@edrosher6650]

Not even is a war on who controls the market

[@missadel20]

That Mama should be so proud of herself!!! What an absolutely beautiful wonderful mother she is 🌱💚🌱

[@cindysue5079]

I was dying with a dozens of rare cancer like tumors in my abdomen. I didn't qualify for the chemo and where they were , i couldn't get radiation. I could not eat without vomiting non stop. After 8 surgeries and many specialist,, my pain doctor told me to try it. I can't stand the way it feels but, i would take 1 toke a night. I started getting better. One year later all the tumors are gone. I still have some pain and nausea but, i am so much better. So it works.✌🏼❤😊

[@sonnytopboy4975]

That's really good to hear, governments around the world are evil, criminalizing things that work. All the best for the future.

[@jimmygrant424]

I had a stomach ulcer ater high school and it cured me of that and my depression

[@blznft9513]

@@dertythegrower cbd works well

[@stevenhoward9926]

@cindy sue. What you smoked a joint a night for a year and now your totally cured of some weird cancer, nah calling B/S on this one.

[@Cbd_7ohm]

Vaping flower is way better than smoking.

[@lilthxttie]

i have anxiety, depression, PTSD, bi-polar disorder, suicidal ideation. i had prescriptions for opioids and benzodiazepines as a child, i am almost 20 and still suffering, but without help from medications because my doctors are too scared to prescribe them to me. every day when i wake up i cry because i don’t know where i am, and the same before i go to sleep. we need to allow doctors to do their jobs without fear

[@vargazoltan8925]

Try meditation or guided meditation. You can find a ton on youtube. Or you can just pay attention to your breathing! It helped me a lot, saved my life! Wish you the best, my friend!

[@vargazoltan8925]

Search for Echart Tolle, Sadhguru or other spiritual master!

[@christianterrill3503]

Even in the USA pain patients are having problems getting prescribed opioids for cronic pain

[@Cbd_7ohm]

@mr fantastic Kratom lol. Opium should be legal for sale though. You can grow it though.

[@Cbd_7ohm]

@mr fantastic Dont get headshop kratom. Mitraman has nice kratom.

[@user-vu2yb1gy4l]

@@Cbd_7ohm some people are in so much severe pain that cannabis, kratom etc do nothing. I have a morphine pump for a reason. You're lucky if your pain can be treated so easily

[@Cbd_7ohm]

@@user-vu2yb1gy4l Yes I think morphine should also be legal.

[@Cbd_7ohm]

@@user-vu2yb1gy4l without prescription.

[@timkitterman2130]

Crying while watching this at about 4:00 in the video thinking about all the children like Billy that have LITERALLY DIED because their doctors can't give them the COMPLETELY HARMLESS medicine they need. WTF 😭

[@K-yu-ko8dv]

then they prescribe opiods or steroids that are both vastly more dangerous and addictive

[@henkstoomflat8840]

because people dont interest them. aslong they can drive a expensive car

[@Tayl0r_]

Thank you for being a voice for chronic pain patients everywhere. My mom was forced onto suboxone bc the docs found THC in her urine test. Why did she have THC in her system? They kept tapering her too rapidly off opiates after 16 years of dependency/tolerance, WITH NO WITHDRAWAL AID! All due to the newer CDC “prescribing guidelines”, enforced by the DEA. Rapid tapering/innappropriate tapering can lead to shock, heart problems, and more. They never listened to her.. They dropped her and blacklisted her after the ONE “dirty” urine sample. She recently just got off suboxone because it was making her feel worse. She’s raw doggin it right now, and is basically bedridden (disabled from two botched spinal fusions, has severe psoriatic arthritis, and several deviated discs in her neck, which she needs surgery but can’t afford due to Medicare only covering 80% of the cost). I do all the errands now, and she had to quit working as my grandma’s primary caregiver because she can hardly move. Now we REALLY can’t afford the surgery.

[@tendaimabingani5201]

I was a chronic pain patient before I was a cancer patient. Any increase in my pain medication required bs prior authorizations (as cited by the pharmacists, who wouldn’t let me purchase them out of pocket either)-however, my insurance would always send me back a letter later that month saying “we didn’t request this and we don’t need it”. The pharmacists always gave me hell. Even in person, when it came time to eventually pick up my meds, they would comment on my prescription being “concerning” and “inappropriate” even though I’m at a fairly low dose. Give me a break. I’m sorry I’m, like, trying not to die from pain.

[@Jessica-gy6kr]

I've sought out and used heroin for pain. They don't seem to understand pain and how desperate it can make you.

[@Jessica-gy6kr]

There have been a couple occasions where if a gun had been available.........

[@theblondeone8426]

pain mgt is a human right it should be in our bill of rights

[@Micahslooseearlobe]

The difference between "illicit street drugs" and medicine is a prescription

[@LemonSte]

Depends who's making it. drugs in countries where they're illegal are super dangerous, simple mdma can be pressed with crazy high amounts of speed

[@Cbd_7ohm]

@@LemonSte Its only more dangerous if its not regulated and tested for purity.

[@Cbd_7ohm]

@Prof. Weed Thats what lab testing is for.

[@rdizzy1]

@@Cbd_7ohm Addicts don't /can't just use lab testing for every bag of dope they buy, some of them are using 12+ bags of heroin a day. There is a massive difference between a dose of an unknown "heroin" or these pressed "valium" you get on the street and a pharmaceutical version. You know the purity, you know the dose, you know it isn't filled with toxic filler trash, etc,etc.

[@Cbd_7ohm]

@@rdizzy1 I'm saying those issues could be avoided with drug legalization. No one has these issues when drugs are legal and regulated.

[@astralfluxaf]

This is one of the most important series on the Internet right now! Keep showing the world the truth! You’re doing an amazing job 🖤🙌🏻

[@Spaded4life13]

It’s sad when you here people with money can get help and the ones without money gets nothing

[@kevinjenkins6986]

This series is SO AWESOME. Glad to see Vice is sticking to its roots a little bit

[@valentinminkov7418]

Thank you for keeping regular output on these series. I hope you keep on going, we need more people voicing these problems every day until change happens.

[@vxCOCOxv]

I had a c-section in 2011, the doctor told me he “didn’t believe in pain medicine”. Then told me to take some Tylenol, and take care. I had one previous to my daughter, and I knew how bad it would be for the first 2 weeks, it’s now so common that you don’t get any opioid based pain medicine. My sister just had her wisdom teeth removed, they told her to take Tylenol as well. These are painful surgeries, where regular pain medicine WILL not cut it. I don’t like the direction they’re taking for those of us who DO need it for surgeries. That c-section, without pain relief, and having to do everything in pain because my spouse had to go back to work... made it all that much worse of an experience when talking about this. It’s INSANE people are having to deal with pain, because of the stigma around opioid pain medication.

[@suzyqualcast6269]

Happening in 🇬🇧 hospitals too. Early 2000's in patients were being each fitted with self administering /limited dose diamorph.

[@chocmilkshake24]

There are studies showing that taking Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen together can have synergistic effects on pain management. I hope this helps for future minor operations or when taking only Tylenol isn’t enough. Best of luck.

[@generationkill791]

My dad has copd ,he needed oxygen, now he takes weed tincture and he doesn't use his oxygen and he said he has never felt better,so it does work

[@chrissyloren3669]

That's awesome

[@petervonlokeren]

Now he's a drug addict

[@Endidixknsej]

@@petervonlokeren in what way

[@souviksen.]

My father also has copd but marijuana isn't available even for treatment in my country, so he uses inhalers and transhalers!

[@epicness203]

@@petervonlokeren AHHAHAHAHA OH NO HIS LIFE IS FALLING APART FROM CRIPPLING WEED ADDICTION🤣🤣🤣

[@helojoe92]

Happy f*cking anniversary btw, it's been 50 years now since Richard Nixon called out the war on drugs in 1971... Time to change this madness!

[@marcl3763]

and your going to do it right!?!

[@helojoe92]

@@marcl3763 yeah, let me go and end the war on drugs all by myself, brb... On a serious note: I'm working on it, spreading awareness at my university and developing a website with safer-use information, there's just so much a single person can do...

[@User_fr3256]

@@helojoe92 link me to your website I wanna help spread the word

[@helojoe92]

@@User_fr3256 thanks for the offer, but it's still only a concept, there is no prototype or working homepage yet unfortunately...

[@NaughtyLucifer]

Outlaw.ltd is fighting home office there taking them to court and all its working but taking a lot of time

[@rhyscrossan6395]

Really glad and appreciative that Scotland’s current issue was a main focus throughout this, just competed my college dissertation on the matter and it’s really an epidemic in the country, as someone that lives in the country and self medicated themselves I am still left bewildered as to why no positive changes have been made

[@WillIngram08]

Thank you for putting out this series Vice. It is an extremely important! A topic that needs attention

[@sekann112]

Big respect to this mom who fought for her son, BIG BIG RESPECTS FROM 🇩🇪!! Fight for your rights, everywhere the fact that cannabis was prohibited due to racism is shockingly.!

[@josha3891]

My mom didn't take opiates when she was dying from cancer until the last couple of months of her life. She was worried about addiction, and the stigma going around back then(2016) of people using them. She suffered so much.

[@OnlyCowardFascistSilenceSpeech]

I'm one of those that can't get help because Karen's are more worried about me becoming an addict. They don't care the pain is gonna cause my death but hey I won't be an addict.

[@ronniemartin5088]

I feel ya there. These people need a 👊 right in the face

[@deferdfive0928]

It's not a war on drugs, it's a war on personal freedom Keep that in mind at all times

[@giusepperesponte8077]

The government needs to stop trying to tell people what drugs they can and can’t do, period.

[@jaimeflor4181]

I think there's also a possible tie to the temperance movement in the U.S. and maybe other countries. In America it lead to prohibition and the same struggles with medical marijuana, kratom and even prescription pain medication. A lot of people with chronic pain are suffering unnecessarily at the moment. There has been some progress, but it seems like it never ends. The government and nosy people need to butt out when it comes to the availability of effective medications, and natural supplements. To top it off, the war on drugs has just made the situation worst with people turning to unregulated black market medications.

[@DavidJSullivan8]

Drug war has been a class war from the jump. This series is incredible. The host is whip smart. All power to the people.

[@suzyqualcast6269]

Class & race, twas the 🇺🇸 blacks who were demonised over mj.

[@lunarvibes632]

thank you for bringing this to the attention of thousands if not millions, truly doing a service to the world.

[@krymera666ash4]

Yah Canada! Veterans were granted weed and fully paid for years ago. Now it’s fully legal.

[@emmanuelthegreat007]

I'm Indian. Doctor for 5 months now. Made sure all my post op patients got their buprenorphine patch. Had no idea the war on papaver is this bad. God bless Vice for these enlightening videos.

[@simhthmss]

I am glad to hear it. Please keep prescribing opioids to people in pain. Without doctors like you pain patients will simply go to the black market or drink alcohol to deal with their pain and neither are an optimal solution when there are clean regulated medicines that can help them.

[@Desi1t530]

This is the awesome episode. hopefully this episode can be watched on mainstream will be an eye opener..

[@K_FI_L_Y_P_S_O]

PLEASE make this a full series on Hulu like Pharmacopeia. Ive never clicked so fast. I absolutely LOVE this series. Thank you for all that you do VICE! 🙌

[@27jerry27]

Congrats to Drugs for winning 4-0 Sweep in thw Finals 🥇🏆🥇

[@Vunomic]

Damn bruh drugs is like Bulls in the 90s. Drugs 23 Jersey I need that merch

[@triggamansa797]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2fGqniea52ZrNE

[@BernicePanders]

After I developed debilitating chronic pain (from joints & spine problems) at age 12, I've been on painkillers for 20+ years, and by age 24 was developing diabetes, had kidney & heart failure at age 27 that almost killed me, then again at age 30 I had massive heart failure. I was then taken off 4-5 Rx drugs & had to start medical cannabis. Not only does it help my pain, it also controls my myoclonic seizures, debilitating nausea, anxiety/depression, insomnia, and tension migraines, and it even allowed me to go off insulin & meds for diabetes & still regulated my sugar level on it's own! I am considered no longer diabetic because of CANNABIS. If I had been allowed to move to where medical MJ is basically FREE (grow it myself or get free samples at monthly conventions) I'd have had a chance at a LIFE, and wouldn't have my stress heart failure worsened by 1000x because now I am DYING OF POVERTY! I have to put 60% of my $750/mo disability into my MMJ every month, and since my entire family are conservative religious nuts, they don't think MMJ is a MEDICINE, therefore it's my CHOICE to buy DRUGS all the time! I am the ONLY ONE in a huge middle class extended family who never had help getting a car & who has been disabled before age 50 & the only one who's had to sell personal items to pay bills, but they sit by & do nothing while my power is cut off, I can't get to mandatory Dr appts or literally anywhere else for that matter, and they watch me have daily anxiety attacks over finance and come weeks from being evicted, all because they have not one iota of empathy among them! I watched my cousin lose everything to meth addiction & nearly died, but her uncle decided she deserved his help getting an apartment, vehicle, and college help! But if I'm dying just as horribly from actual medical problems, I'm just SOL...

[@matovicmmilan]

How are you doing now if you don't mind me asking? I hope you've had a bit more control over some of your problems!

[@kimf86]

Ive watched numerous of your videos on the drug issue and find them so extremly sad and moving. What i wish from you would be some kind of followup video where you break down some steps, according to what youve come up with based on your videos, with possible steps that could be taken to reverse this crisis. I also want to give major props to the presenter in this video, whos name has failed me, who also appear in many of the other videos for his clean cut presenting style and easy to follow story telling.

[@benwebster2779]

This documentary was unbelievably important and eye opening as a pain patient in North America.

[@BernicePanders]

The UNTOLD SUFFERING would not have gotten anywhere near this bad if one simple rule had been followed: GOVT STOP INTERFERING IN DR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIPS!! LET THE SPECIALISTS DECIDE, NOT THE GOP!! 🤦🤦🤦

[@viktorgarcia6279]

good job vice one of the reporters that does a great job

[@noobslayer10101]

Yeah remember when this was like 90% of VICE content?

[@CoreyYoungblood]

Incredible reporting as always! 👏🏻

[@torethyen3893]

Keep 'em coming! I can't imagine how a person is unable to see how barbaric and more importantly completely useless Prohibition is and has been for the last 106 years...

[@crystalrosette5522]

even though weed is legal in my state, our biggest industry doesn’t allow their employees to use it 😐

[@jamesbell9577]

You a Michigander?

[@crystalrosette5522]

@@jamesbell9577 las vegas nv (casinos)

[@jamesbell9577]

It's like that here in the Automotive... so in the casino business huh? You think they'd embrace it!

[@totsmcgriff2917]

At least we knew when to pull out of Vietnam. This is the same situation. The war on drugs is fighting a battle thats never going to be won

[@ArnoldZiffle-jw2mv]

It took way too many deaths & too many years to get out of nam, Johnson owned bell helicopter that evacuated killed & injured. It took Nixon to finally get us out.

[@Megaghost_]

This war is very profitable both for traffickers, governments and legal private businesses. The only way it will stop is if it becomes more profitable to legalize the industry, as it happened with cannabis in many countries. At the end of the day it's all about money.

[@blznft9513]

@@Megaghost_ Same happening with psychedelics. Some of these companies like compass pathways trying to create a monopoly

[@Koojoe89]

Man, Y'all Ain't never lied! Love your Content.

[@petergambier]

Good post thanks Vice. Also well done to Billy and his mum. Been dry for about 13 years, it was weed and my medical prescription and my wife which helped me to stop. Now I'm a 20 year veteran of dihydrocodiene addiction and once again, I hope weed can help me off the pills. Not the skunk or super high THC stuff, that's just mad, (one bud can cost £40) just the natural, grown in the garden herb please. That's an amazing statistic about India, the largest producer of medical opium, yet an Indian patient will only get a total of 43mg of morphine whereas in Canada that figure is 68,194mg. It's not surprising that when Valium stopped being prescribed, drug dealers moved in to fill the gap. It's a bit like when the council started charging for hardcore, rubber tyres etc all of which then ended up being dumped in the street and countryside. Why don't we legalise the lot, we could empty half the prisons and courts, let the government quality test, distribute and sell the stuff through existing chemists, bars and health centres and the profits can be ploughed into treating addiction with new treatments like Ibogaine. It's legal in the UK and Mexico but illegal in the US, why is that please?

[@pri0r_t0_a_weekago...fukwi48]

This is part of the reason this country makes me SICK... I think I’m gonna move across the world, just don’t know where yet

[@thealldaypker]

Wow, as a medical student trained in a western country I am shocked by this.

[@Bob-pn6wx]

There’s a Ted talks video on you tube I can’t remember the exact title but something like - what most people don’t know about addiction . The fellow did a lot of research about drug abuse around the world and suggested that Portugal had a impressive way of how their country dealt with the worlds was on drugs. Thank you for getting this information out there!

[@Cosmicdust93]

Wow. One of my fav vids from you guys. So eye opening I had no idea about this.

[@Dexy83]

The earliest use of cannabis used as a med is linked to ancient China... That sentence made me pause. Why are we STILL fighting this war?!?

[@danielvickers1095]

Naturally found in every continent on earth and used in every culture, it is truly on this planet for a reason

[@bitpro8903]

It's beginning to look ridiculous how Cannibus is illegal still

[@HRVATSKA-re9pj]

Finnnnally Ive been waiting for a weed Vice video bcz I watched all of them, please make these more often. Cannabis heals.

[@xanaxshake]

Your quality is rising VICE. Keep it up !

[@ryans7146]

Even the act of growing cannabis is therapeutic.

[@chinny5500]

Enjoying my Cake Batter hybrid while watching this. Cannabis is the best medicine 🌿🔥

[@iv8ik]

Hi, i am incredibly greatful to Vice and the authors of war on drugs for doing these videos, they help to unstigmatize drug use in any ways(recreational and medical).I think that future world will quit THE WAR ON DRUGS ITSELF, and start really helping people in despair(most of the addicts), not even talking about medical use .I almost cry when i watch war on drugs sometimses, cuz i am an former addict myself, and i have a dream of drugs and people in its contex are treated with love not hate!!!

[@scottcarlass8887]

Love this series. Keep hammering the point home.

[@tylewfah]

This is so true a powerful medicine 🌱🌿🪴

[@TaylerSpliff]

Patients going through chemo always chat about cannabis. You will never hear an oncologist discuss it. I honestly might have died without medical cannabis. People need to discuss its efficacy.

[@mcozy333]

Therapeutic index for cannabis ( FECO ) - 50,000 to 1 that index for chemo - 1 to 1

[@TaylerSpliff]

Nobody knows what this means.

[@mcozy333]

@@TaylerSpliff Therapeutic index describes how a compound or formula can be ingested and maintain therapeutic response without that compound or formula also becoming toxic to said therapy or treatment . the higher the initial number the greater chance of therapy another example can be provided and that is Chemo. the therapeutic index for Chemo is 1 to 1 !!!!!!!!! we can measure safety of cannabis too via lethal dose rating and it is actually the same - LD50 cannabis is 50,000 to 1 . compared to say alcohol at 10 to 1 cannabis is even 50 thousand times safer than that ... even with all this advanced knowledge I always ask anyone to prove how cannabis is not safe ... the only thing that can be said at that point is that the by product of the plant as smoke is harmful ... well it does not take much research to know that... it takes massive ignorance to only lojk at smoke of a plant and ignore the plant itself

[@TaylerSpliff]

@@mcozy333 I do not understand what this means at all. In plain simple language let me help...cannabis helps cancer patients and especially those trying not to vomit all over the hospital or kill themselves.

[@mcozy333]

@@TaylerSpliff when you take a medicine it either continually does what we are taking it for or does not... most medicines however start to have horrible side effects that involve metabolism of said medicine .. this is where that index comes in to play to determine what is being helped or harmed from the medicine . as the where exactly cannabis is helpful look into your endocannabinoid system

[@TaraMolohon-lb1zn]

I'm really glad you guys are telling everyone about the benefits of drugs/medications that are being prescribed to medical patients for the health problems we all have to face on a daily basis... I'm happy atleast here I have a chance.... Yup, you are fantastic and I really appreciate it. ❣️🤓

[@evanslaw787]

I really like this format!

[@dylanrupp8214]

Humans in fact , make themselves their desires.

[@Andrew-ob5ij]

I didn’t realise the snp just really hates people on drugs

[@Tazza81]

Yep, the SNP are nothing but a bunch of power hungry fascists

[@jackdezmen572]

Killed it, great job!! Thanks for the helpful info

[@SmartMoveGraphics]

Wow... Just wow. How is it that we just don't care about each other. Is this what it means to be human. Thank you VICE for bringing this information to my attention.

[@johnnyc.3261]

2:50 giving your kid that haircut is a form of child abuse.

[@Daniel-yp6mm]

Why are you hating on a kid with epilepsy

[@gouku456]

Epilepsy or not bro could use a gud fade.

[@sonnytopboy4975]

@@gouku456 * good *

[@ashleyhathaway8548]

@@sonnytopboy4975 Maybe he's Swedish and meant "God fade"?

[@dannyboi7695]

I wouldnt be surprised if thousands of people died because of that benzo ban

[@marcl3763]

get the figures and facts

[@isaakhanimann3559]

This guy makes the best Vice content.

[@ellathorne-thomsen7081]

I'm SO glad and relieved to see due attention paid to the "other opioid epidemic"-- i.e. the lack of adequate, necesary, and HUMANE pain management by medical professionals..... so much needless suffering.... 💔

[@Matt85USA]

I grow my own. I love It. No more waiting at 711 parking lot for G-money to show up

[@kayjay9536]

That was my plug gmoney ahahaha

[@alifakhreddine998]

I'm going to start using the term opoiphobia to describe the "opioid crisis"

[@wilhathaway1987]

*Opio*

[@dmbfannh]

I'm impressed with this host of the show. He comes across in a very genuine way. He speaks so nice and clearly in his cool sounding voice. He seems very professional. And I have to mention he is stunningly good looking I mean the dude is freaking georgus. Well georgus is an understatement for him seriously.

[@sebastianmedel3325]

I love this series! The War on Drugs is my favorite!!!

[@PHlophe]

i can tell

[@noconsentgiven]

The difference is heroin, cocaine, cannabis, and meth can be made in the privacy of your own home. Whereas, these "legal" drugs need expensive labs and chemicals to duplicate, meaning they have almost complete control over them.

[@suzyqualcast6269]

Purity checked though, no crap added .

[@mattw4547]

I've been a psych/detox RN for the last 10 years, benzo detox is by far the most excruciating experience, so hard to have any lasting recovery.

[@thealldaypker]

Suffering chronic pain makes it worse, as nerves and the brain become more sensitive causing more suffering. Look up central sensitization in chronic pain.

[@natedvorak2370]

love this series Vice.

[@kingsmokes733]

Smoking some California Cake “Premium Indoor Flower” while watching this.

[@og4089]

Sounds amazing!!!

[@somedude1215]

nice

[@marinholouhenapessy3665]

Making a huge 'statement' ... 🤣lmao

[@MichelleIbarraMHAEdD]

The US proved that Just Say No doesn't work, it actually made it worse, in so many ways. 😢

[@therideneverends1697]

the problem is that drugs legitamately help alot of things. the drugs are just a tool, its up to doctors to help patentce use the tool properly

[@Cbd_7ohm]

Thanks idiot boomers for ruining the world all while getting high as hell.

[@TheDavemoss1982]

This is just the best series of videos

[@deebabydoll6429]

love this series Thank you