Smoking that Salvia

So today the New York Times came out with an article on salvia use in America and it was really eye opening. I had never even heard of this drug before, and I used to think of myself as a pretty well informed druggie. Those days are long gone. The Times article mentioned the proliferation of YouTube videos of kids using salvia (which is smoked out of pipes and bongs much like weed) and immediately I jumped on to watch. The videos range from teenage girls giggling their asses off to freaked out college dudes stumbling around looking like zombies.

Now back in the day, this would have been right up my alley. I'd be on one of those websites ordering that stuff from some hippie up in New Hampshire and trying to convince all the girls to do it. Kasim and I would sit around and have a ridiculous time with it together. But those days are gone. I'd say from around the time I smoked my first joint back with Kasim, to the night I tripped on Robotussin (aka the worst night of my life) I was a pretty hard core druggie. I was fearless. Lets tick of the list: pot, booze (together for pleasure!), e, mushrooms, vicadin, coke, and acid. I was a pretty heavy pot smoker during my senior year of highschool and during Freshman year of college, and really only dabbled in the harder stuff. My nightmare episode with robotripping for the most part ended my love affair with drugs. Now, I'm older, wiser, and usually much more sober (except for that time in New Hope). Still, I think I still have that experimenter's spirit should the situation present itself (i.e. without Rick). As long as I feel comfortable, I would consider doing most drugs, its just not something I seek out on my own.

Even though most of these kids end up looking like they've been on an intense multiple week bender after about 10 seconds, I have to admit I'm intrigued. I watched one video of several highschool girls sitting around in a sunny, wooded area, smoking salvia and butts, and in an almost grotesque way, the video made me nostalgic for times past. Its true that when I used to do drugs alot, I felt cool, I felt bad ass, and I KNEW I was having more fun than all the straightedged kids. Now I mainly see it as a waste of money and time, but I still say that people have the right to put anything into their bodies that they want, as long as they are not a danger to themselves or others.

I used to feel so comfortable losing complete control of myself and seeing where my brain takes me, but now, its often more scary than redoubtable. Maybe sometime with Laura or something. So yeah? What was I saying? Can you pass the bong?