Holy Smoke

A few days ago world anti drug trafficking day was celebrated. The aphorism "curiosity killed the cat" becomes the epitaph for many who take this treacherous path and get lost somewhere.Somewhere some place where we stay in this world but think beyond it. The city's a metro but the spending is at the streets.People are the same but they don't seem to understand.What does it take to get you there?I believe everyone's had his own share of rounds of bout with intoxication. Some get knocked out in the first round itself.They are the lucky ones I must say.They throw in the towel soon.One of the many indiscretions of youth as Mr. Lalit Modi might put it.(just google that if you didn't get it!).The twist in tale comes when you start enjoying the knock out. One keeps fighting round after round anticipating that hit.When it does come it brings out your most humble self.Never felt so ecstatic and helpless at the same time.The mind ceases to wander.It melts away into that zero which adds nothing takes nothing multiplies into nothing neither divides into anything.One wonders the reason behind an increased number who take take this abyssal plunge to oblivion.The irony is that a major part of those affected are "educated" youth often with a sound family and academic upbringing.This is a glaring aberration in the image of an aware and conscious youth that we often perceive of today.This can't be attributed to ignorance or lack of knowledge.The information age has ensured that we stay connected to the outside world irrespective of  place and time.It's the connection with the inner world that's suffering the bandwidth constraint. The result is people who are aware of their rights but don't know what is right for them.I do not intend to denounce the curious and adventurous lot.However adventure and curiosity in their true spirit are all pervading in nature.If thrill wisps way with that surreal boom from a bong then definitely there's a dearth of spirit in life.The constant exudation about the things around us has led to a self identity crisis.All are striving to live up to a general standard of  perceived well being which is ephemeral for every age group.In this process they stop paying heed to the unique beckoning from the inside.We associate growth with this process that results in a product not a person.The divine spark of the mind can't be extinguished and sadly most of  us apply it to a misplaced connotation of rebellion resulting in a detrimental combustion of the self and society.Rebellion today is largely more branded than practised.The rock and roll opiated punks can understand this quite well.I am not deriding the rock stars and their ideas it's only the meteors trailing behind who need a reality check. In such an atmosphere legitimizing the use of  drugs for recreational purposes seems the only feasible solution.The Nobel  laureate economist Milton Friedman advocated for the same cause.
                    
                            One of his interviews regarding the issue            


         Legalizing the contraband substances will lessen the thrill and novelty usually associated with them in a way similar to alcohol and tobacco based products.Also it can be safely speculated that the number of addicts and abusers will not increase than the present numbers rather it may decrease besides helping in curb of narco-terrorism. Interestingly recent studies have shown that psilocybin in mushrooms actually makes one more empathetic and medical marijuana is already being marketed in U.S.Another issue that needs to be dealt with is the content of the statuary warnings issued in the interest of citizens of the state.Gory pictures of cancerous lungs will not prevent people from lighting up when students in the 8th standard are driven to suicide owing to the disciplinary actions at school.On the contrary it will ensure a generation of guilt ridden and unhealthy youth by suggesting so to their subconscious minds.Already a compendium of problems-unemployment,socio-psychological tensions,terrorism, environmental damage,recession etc haunt the mind.In such an environment the ubiquitous warning-"Smoking Kills" on the pack prompts a rhetorical question-"But so does life.?".