Reply #67: Actually, that's not true, either;

[Spider Jerusalem]

the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission associated with use of injected heroin is a byproduct of its illegality and the fact that clean, sterile needles aren't readily obtainable by most addicts; and a longterm heroin/opiate user doesn't experience ANY intoxicating effects from its use; using merely makes them capable of normal function. Case in point: William Stewart Halstead was a famous American surgeon at the turn of the last century, and was one of the founders of Johns Hopkins Medical School; he injected himself with two grains of morphine every day, and operated and taught classes while doing so; he lived what most would consider a full life that one could hardly argue was devoid of meaningful social contribution.

Not to mention that long-term opiate use has less associated risk of negative physiological impact than almost any other drug.

This isn't something I 'believe'; it's something I know, because I bothered to learn actual facts relating to drug use, addiction, and its consequences rather than relying upon propaganda.