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Hugh Switzer
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Substance abuse problems
February 1, 2004 - 02:06 AM
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A few years ago, there was a massive media frenzy here in Canada about substance abuse problems on reserves. In particular were some quite disturbing images and video of Indigenous Peoples huffing gas. In particular, many of the pictures were of youth doing this. The media focus died down quickly as the world began to focus on other things, but I can't imagine that the problem just went away.
Although this is only one minor type of substance abuse, I know that alcohol has also been a problem. What is the solution here? Why is this happening?
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Rob
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Re: Substance abuse problems
February 1, 2004 - 11:08 AM
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Are you refering to the young children who were sniffing gas on the East Coast? This is what happened to them, the government built a newer town 30 miles away on a different site. The houses were brand new. When they tried to move some of the residents, they realized they didn't have enough homes so they had to move only half of the town. 6 Months later the rest of the town joined them.
So in the end, the kids got help, the town got more support and everyone was happy.
Its nice when people work together when their is a crisis.
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Rachel.
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re substance abuse
February 2, 2004 - 11:50 AM
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Hi people! Well... I would think the reason for substance abuse among indigenous people is similar to the reason among other people - hopelessness, alienation, feeling like you're not contributing, and having problems you don't know how to deal with, so it's easier to cover it up than face it. Of course, it doesn't make the problems go away, but that's the illusion.
Like someone else mentioned, we lose our minds when we aren't connected to the earth and our inner, ancient wisdom. Most of us suffer from that in our insane society. From what I can tell, as a non-indigenous person, that disconnection was forced upon Canada's indigenous people through genocide, cultural genocide, dehistoricization (hiding the good stuff about indigenous people and just publishing stuff that shows the superiority of the explorers/settlers/some immigrants etc.), laws banning ceremonies that keep the people strong (connected to roots, spiritual helpers and each other), policies that kept them from farming successfully once the buffalo had been killed off (here on the plains), mandatory schooling in another culture to the detriment of their own traditions.
They have been dealt a bad blow. But they are strong, and trying to bring the people back to the ancient traditions that make them strong. Besides, our spirits are always strong, no matter what happens to the outsides of us.
That's my take on it. I hope I'm not assuming too much. Is there anyone there from within the indigenous community that can comment from the inside? Peace. Rachel.
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Melina Laboucan-Massimo
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Re: Substance abuse problems
February 3, 2004 - 06:20 AM
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Hey there,
Yeah what Rachael shared is a good summary and a significant reason why Aboriginal people in Canada today are having a hard time recuperating their values, traditions, families communities, not to mention self-worth because of the discrimination and the breakdown of the family unit that was a premeditated and systematic act played out by the government and church. I am not going to start trying to lay blame for the cause of this. What is done is done, however, as an Aboriginal person a thing that makes me frustrated and quite sad is when people are ignorant of the injustices that took place. I just feel that people should recognize this and it should be an integral part of the educational system (both good and bad occurances) and not excluded which had happened in the past.
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Eric Nicolas Schneider
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Re: Substance abuse problems
February 6, 2004 - 03:37 AM
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Good one, Melina,
I agree on the teaching of CORRECTED history. It is a question of identity for indigenous youth, just as for domestic politics.
In Germany, we have had a fair share of self-critical history education over the past 30 years. So much indeed, that you will have a hard time finding a german youth saying s/he feels good being a german. Anyway : why should one feel proud of being part of a "nation" (which is an artificial construct), rather than a "Family", which a cultural entity as an ethnie or tribe is.
Back to the education and attitude aspect: It came as a surprise to me when the topic of aboriginal genocide was mentioned in uni studies 1995 in australia: the australian students were shocked - FOR THE FIRST TIME they heard about the poisoning of wells in tasmania and he abduction of aborignal children as practiced for cultural assimilation in the 50's.
The professor asked the USAmerican student on that topic, and she responded "we dont owe them anything. I see no reason for feeling responsible for what my ancestors did 100 years ago...".
Considering the ongoing human rights atrocities committed to native american in the US (radioactive dumps, leader imprisonment despite evidence of faked FBI materials etc.) starting with corrected history materials as "Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee", Dee Brown, and 70's events of dismembered indian leaders registered as "death by accident" in FBI files ("In the Spirit of Crazy Horse", Peter Matthiesen).
It appears that correcting the facts is a fundamental step in getting people on the right track.
It sure has worked with the 70's-born young generation in germany which I am part of. especially western german youth have been filled up with holocaust studies and german guilt over years in school. The result: we are very pacifist, have no inclination to national pride (the only time we get to hear the national anthem is before international sports games , so dont get the news about neonazis wrong) and heaps of volunteers are travelling worldwide. Latin American and Amazon NGOs stated that the major support comes from germany.
this is not to glorify anything over here in Germany, just to state how IMPORTANT it is to treat the dark spots of the colonializers history. The truth has to come out n the table.
This is of course a tough topic for the ONLY TWO REMAINING colonies that have NOT RETURNED government to the indigenous population (Did you ever notice?): USA and Australia, and NZ (whereas the latter are on a good way concerning peace and ecology).
For a young generation envisioning the design of ustainable societies, quite a must to deal with, in order to "walk their talk". Fortunately, the indigenous are so nice and understanding that they do not intend to push the dominant society into the ocean, but still want to share, and just ask for being respected and granted an appropriate and peaceful lifesytle. That is quite impressive and something to learn from after 500 years of onslaught. So - here we are with indigenous spirituality, but that is a different topic... or is it?
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Rachel.
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teach them the real history!
February 7, 2004 - 11:44 AM
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Yeah! It is important to educate people on the real history of their nations. The kids who are surprised by the well-poisonings in indigenous communities in Australia(which are also news to me), are also suffering as a result of this ignorance - not only the people whose ancestors were the victims of those crimes. It makes for a worse society when it's all covered up. If they don't know the truth, how can they live in true relationship with the descendants of the victims?
And yes, I can agree that we today, are not responsible for the death caused by our ancestors (or predecessors), but we are responsible for the society we live in today. Our society is shaped by the expectations, outlooks and structures that have come down to us from the past, and we owe it to ourselves as well as our sisters and brothers of every ethnicity (let me get up on my soap box!!), to try and make things better from now on. I don't want my kids to have to struggle with the racism I've had to witness -- and 99% of it was not targetted at me. Fear corrupts. And teaching false history only breeds fear and feelings of superiority and inferiority. It messes up good people - when your society teaches you negative things about groups of people, you question your inner goodness that tells you everyone's essentially good! Then, otherwise good people end up screwing up others' lives, by perpetuating systems, beliefs and practices that are based in LIES!!! (I'm tired, OK, I hope this is making sense!) Plus, you have to deprogramme yourself if you want to have friends from targetted groups. I hate that. SO. We have to teach a proper history in school. Get everyone's voice heard.
Someone told me once that a society is only ever as strong as its weakest link, and that, to get the real view of what is happening in a society, you must look at the weakest member of it. The strong members will always be heard, because they have power. But the weak ones must be looked to, and actively sought out, so you can have a balanced view of what is happening.
One correction, there, Eric (weltgeist), there are at least THREE nations that have not given control to aboriginal people. Canada is a third one. They have some control, but not total. There's something called Self-Determination that people are workign for. I don't know how it's supposed to work, but maybe someone can fill us in.
Also, and people might not like me saying so, but I personally would be careful not to idealize indigenous societies. It's the same nostalgia that makes us think our society was so great in the good old days. Aboriginal societies had their problems too, although there is also wisdom and wholeness to guide, as well.
I heard that, about German youth. My friend Heidrun told me many youth are ashamed to be German. But they are not responsible for the actions of the past either. Although they are responsible for the society they live in now, and that the next generation will inherit.
Better go!!! Take care. Rachel.
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Eric Nicolas Schneider
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Re: Substance abuse problems
February 9, 2004 - 06:18 AM
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NO, I haven't heard about that incident - probably speaking for 5.5+ billion people :-)
I agree not being responsible, that is obvious, and not guilty - but responsible to correct the ugliness of my "family", which may have whatever size you imagine. I feel responsible as part of the "winner" or "dominant" or "affluent" part, and this only BY drawing HUGE benefit from the wrong committed to the oppressed in the past, and - the ongoing suffering of the oppressed in the present. This is true in questions of oil, minerals, landuse, landrights, most consumer goods.
All the resources are available to change this. It is the responsibility of the affluent family members to take care of the weak ones, be the family scale apartment size, national or global. I don't see more time for games of greed and hipocrisy.
Indigenous people have to struggle against the argument of legal treaties on paper, but what if they have any ? Those treaties are ridiculous and permanntly broken, even when deemed legal in court.
I have no understanding for NOT sticking to legal treaties between "nations", even when they have been years ago. Most natives / traditionals are suffering because they have been reserved (concentrated) on dead pieces of land; no good for hunting, farming, making a living... finally, when they are granted the right to live on the land, they have restricted or no rights for what is below the surface : minerals etc. (e.g. in Papua New-Guinea and the Amazon).
And even if they receive a ridiculuously small amount of mony for mining-concessions like in the US, the basic human rights are still neglected. As in the case of reservations in the US-American South West, where the big companies are digging out radioactive materials with no protection of waterways, so the natives get sick and deformed TO-DAY. When that is happening in the richest country of the world, how can we expect rural indigenous youth to be better off anywhere?
So, - I really believe this calls for some considerable effort to grant some cheated (180 broken treaties in the Us alone) people the same rights and chances for a human livelihood. That cannot work without SHARING. I consider this to be an indispensable facet of a sustainable society citizen's mindset. We might as well call it Christian - what would Jesus do with a lot of money on his bank account ?
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zxcvbn
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Re: Substance abuse problems
February 9, 2004 - 10:14 AM
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"(...)they are not responsible for the actions of the past either. Although they are responsible for the society they live in now, and that the next generation will inherit."
Good one Rachel!
About the atrocities... well, a few years ago we had here in Brazil this boys who put fire on an indigenous man who was sleeping on a bus stop... He went to Brasilia (our capital city) to a conference, to discuss the problems his nation (in brazil there are indigenous nations... xavante for example is one of them, and is situated here on my state). Long story short, the freaks decided to put fire on the man, just as a "joke"! How bizarre is that?!?!?!
Have you guys heard about it overseas??
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johnny flink
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Re: Substance abuse problems
February 10, 2004 - 08:11 AM
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Nice reference, Rachel!
"The traditional healers emphasized how they helped people become aware of their inner world - their anger, sorrow, bitterness, rage, and hatred, so that it could move again. They pointed out how modern American culture teaches people to ignore their inner world and their feelings. Children are taught in school to ignore their body needs for elimination until it is convenient for the teacher. Civilization, as it is now constructed, requires a level of ignoring emotions for smooth functioning"
Environments of Free Expression are a tool against frustration. Prevention programmes I came across work with art and online magazines.
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sean jayasekara
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Substance abuse
February 10, 2004 - 08:15 AM
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This discussion has contributing some very good points to the topic of racism and how to address and ensure cultures can integrate successfully without a loss of pride and history. Rachels posts on it have summed up my own feelings very well. It is a shame that not everyone around the globe feels this way!!
Although this (racism, inferiority, suppression) is integrated into the whole substance abuse problem, the discussion has drifted from the topic in hand at the start of the thread.
I myself, up until 2 years ago, have been guilty of substance abuse since about 14, and yes, my reasons were through depression and a bleak/negative future outlook. Although I started mostly because of peer pressure, it was the above which made me continue. Since realising that I really can achieve whatever I want, I have become much more focused, realising that the drugs are an evil that cannot solve my problems but only make them worse. Unfortunately not everyone is so lucky!
For me it is paramount that regardless of race, gender etc, human beings must have a focus, they must have something they believe they can aspire to. I guess, with Indiginous people this is a major problem as they are not included in our society and are often, ignorantly, looked upon as sub-human. So, yes, as mentioned previously correct, need-specific education is essential.
However, it must be noted that even those with a good education and a good background can easily become drug-users. Human beings are experimental, some more than others, and it must be remembered that escapism (away fro the problems of the real world) is not the only reason for starting to abuse substances, though it is probably the only reason for addiction
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Rachel.
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substance abuse
February 10, 2004 - 10:29 AM
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Hi Sean, congratulations on getting out of substance abuse! I know from friends how hard it can be, psychologically and physically.
For myself, knowing my own tendencies, I have purposefully stayed away from addictive substances for my whole life, so I don't really know why people do decide to start abusing. Do you think you can tell some of your thoughts on this? I would like to understand.
Thanks, Rachel.
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sean jayasekara
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Re: Substance abuse problems
February 10, 2004 - 11:09 AM
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Hi Rachel
I dont think anyone starts using drugs (of any kind including cigarettes and alcohol) thinking they could become addicted. Even many addicted drug users convince themselves they are not addicted.
It is the amount of recreational use increasing which starts the dependance.
I started with cannabis and, regardless of what people say or think, this is what I became addicted to prob around age 16 up untill recently. Though I tried many other substances, I tried to stay away as much as possible, though at times this proved difficult and I have had stints with other substances. I have many friends who are or who have been addicted to hard drugs, some of whom have attended rehabilitation (mostly unsuccessfully). The greatest thing possibly needed to to overcome substance abuse is will-power, without it there is no chance of changing, you must really want to stop otherwise you wont!
I guess people start abusing substances for a heap of reasons: experimentation, for fun (just a buzz), to look 'cool', for attention, to escape problems, depression, anxiety, insecurity ... etc all depending on the person. Im not sure about Canada, but young people in London think it is 'OK' to use drugs, there is even glamour attached to drugs such as cocaine! So, I guess the society you live in plays a big part in the decision.
So back to the indiginous people, I guess maybe the community feels oppressed and it is now 'normal' to be using drugs in this community. Or, who knows, maybe in this particular community the use of this gas for a 'hit' has been practised for a very long time and is only coming to light now!
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Rachel.
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"traditional and non-traditional healing"
February 10, 2004 - 12:05 PM
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I hope I'm not out of order if I change the topic temporarily. The following is a site for a Cherokee-Lakota healer and psychologist from the US. It was interesting to me to read it, and very pacifying. He, in concert with others, uses traditional (read: indigenous) and non-traditional medicines and processes to bring about healing in his patients. Follow the clicks and you'll see -- esp. the one that says Healing Intensives. This may connect with your concern, weisgeist, for considering the wisdom of all cultures. Peace, Rachel.
http://www.mehlmadrona.com/mehl-madrona/index.htm
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Rachel.
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Re: Substance abuse problems
February 10, 2004 - 12:08 PM
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- sorry, I meant weltgeist! :<
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johnny flink
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REASONS FOR DRUG USE & TRADITIONAL MEDICINE USE
February 11, 2004 - 07:50 AM
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I consent that the common use of drugs is no good. I have tasted a few, very irregularly. I have had the opportunity of sharing traditional medicine environments with traditionals, and thereby learn about the human family and humankind. I find it very important to balance out the modern understanding about these substances and their (ab)use. So, please if you have interest in this topic - have patience that I consider this to need more than 5 lines... this account is based on dialogues with traditional elders on cultures, ritual and trance.
It is not the substance.
The central reason for drug use is TO SHIFT CONSCOUSNESS.
This can be the fun factor (feeling o.k. to be stupid and being attracted to...) in alcohol, dreaming, being light in Cannabis, and more phantastic perceptions on LSD. Who does it and who starts doing it all the time?
People subjected to dissatisfying living conditions, not knowing that life can be great and exciting out there, who are overburdened, full of fears, following a meaningless lifestyle, caught in stiff boredom, deprivation of senses, incapable of living true emotions or dealing with inflicted pain... all these neighbours of us are candidates for a change of lifestyle. The ESSENTIAL reason: the standard state of consciousness is unbearable. Change of consciousness (party / therapy / substances) then take the role of distraction, anaesthesia or - recognition of a solution for overcoming the muck and changing lifestyle.
As the daily news and magazines clearly unveil, this pattern is common in urban societies and subjected people throughout history. It is NOT common for functional traditional societies.
But, don't the traditionals also use rituals and plant medicine? Yes, but there is a difference in attitude.
EXPANDING / SHIFTING CONSCIOUSNESS is everpresent in every society and tradition. Cultures have their different approaches, depending on their environment. Plant ceremonies, silent meditation, yoga, rhythms, dancing etc. The achieved states of consciousness are varying states of trance, some different, some similar. These practices are old - and successful - ways of connecting to the whole, to the divine, to the unseen, to one's inner self (compare Rachel's medicine LINK quoted above), they are re-ligion (cf. Definition of "religion" in the Trésor de la Langue Francaise, also available online).
Many argue that there is A NATURAL NEED for such MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE, - something missing in the industrial world. All traditions have it and keep it dearly. It connects them to unseen worlds. We could refer to this as the aspect of "soul", which some rational minds may contradict, but for 99,9% of cultures there is no death, and spirits are a common day fact, in principle, also for the Catholic Christians - angels. European mainstream society however have be-deviled this spiritual aspect for centuries. As a part of rooting out traditions, a means of power and subjection - not to forget. The rituals and ceremonies are the link to the "super-"natural, which is not supernatural to the indigenous :-) It is just that many people have not navigated their personal point of attention to this sense and perception, just like other people have not experienced the perception of high concentration in mathematics, the ecstasy in painting, or orgasm... for physical or psychological reasons. This is why some traditional healers refer to city people as "stiff": their point of consciousness doesn't shift easily, have difficulty to "let go"... - but then you can't "go" anywhere".
THE RITUAL STRENGTHENING OF THE PEOPLE (quote Rachel) - like the traditional dances, or - in other cultures - in medicine "provided as a gift to the people by Mother Earth" for connecting to the unseen world, and for healing purposes (of psychology and the spirit/soul). This is not very recommendable for shaky personalities, because such experiences may stir a serious change of worldview that is hardly compatible with mainstream society.
However, an international trance conference in Morocco introduced western psychiatrists into Persian traditions of Sufi dance and others, where people fall into Trance by dancing. This is a different trance from techno, by the way, which is only a low trance. There is a lot to this, and it involves a long journey to get into this world. It is no good for people of a "browsing and getting a taste" attitude.
AND THE HARD DRUGS ?
Artificial drugs are considered no good. However, to include the whole picture means involving some very controversial facts that crossed my way in books in the USA, but that you may have to research: the application of LSD and MDA (ecstasy) for psychological treatment. The first was distributed free(!) by Sandoz Company (Switzerland) to the USA in the Sixties, and was introduced by Timothy Leary for treatment in jails: studies call it succesful, with the hard guys breaking out in tears and becoming friends, saying good-bye to alcohol. Those informations is available somewhere in related books in the USA. There is also material about the succesful aplication of the latter in Switzerland. The key aspect was the "Opening of the Heart", the key aspect in the healing of the psyche and soul. Many people have become so hard that they will not open up to the pain (and release it). The substances take away that block. IF in the right environment. But that is always messy in the industrial world. And most people cannot deal psychologically with the experiences, because their worldview is shattered and their society will not accept it. They get STUCK on the experience, and might want to return to the feeling of wholeness and transcendence by using the substance again and again. BUT: it is not the substance that gives the experience. Other cultures get to the same experience by rhythm, dance, meditation, shifting consciousness by working on the senses and attention. And that is a recommendable way to the urban societies.
TEACHINGS ABOUT TRADITIONAL MEDICINE that traditional elders shared with me on this issue:
"It is sacred, it is for healing. An example of how I approach Grandfather Fire would be "Grandfather, I have difficulty saying thanks..." and a song says "let me BE, let me BE, just NOW" ...to be glad just being alive. So it is about being grateful for every little gift, letting go of greed and desire, of past things that hurt us, leaving them behind, being free moving free. To be aware of the gifts in my life, my loved ones, myself, the sky, the birdsong, living in the present, which is a gift. Buddha says the same, and Jesus knew it too.
Our medicine helps us with this. It has strong effect in moving your perception - but WHERE will it take you ? This can be guided. Medicine is to be taken in the proper form - around the fire, in an atmosphere of deep trust, with prayer songs, and with experienced elders guiding the ceremony, - often referred to as shamans. This practice is not a distractive game! It is for healing. Facing pain or the unseen has nothing to do with FUN. If you want to be tough, are full of "ego", you will get hurt. Maybe this is a reason why people get confused about "bad trips", "enlightenment" and all this unreflected fuss. Some cultures use plants, and it has been working for them for thousands of years. Don't bug them with your problem of drug (ab)use. Others have not used plants traditionally, have lost their traditional practice, and are now playing around meaninglessly and aimlessly with consciousness-shifting substances of all sorts - in the common attitude: consumerism: "give it to me, have the pill solve it for me" - but it doesn't work that way. It is no good, and a serious No-No to traditionals. Tobaccho also should only be used ceremonially.
Go into nature, stay alone for days. Face your sh.., be true to yourself. Study the animals, meet them as people. Down the road, you may discover: it's not your world at all, but it's your life. You will become a whole person. Afterwards, do not let people pull you down into their misery again. And always remember: it is good to cry."
Altogether, traditional cultures have a lot to share with the unbalanced society. There is a wealth of non-substance approaches for healing mind and soul. Unfortunately, most New Agers get it all wrong again, - Because medicine is not for sale!
This might have given some impulse for thought or discussion, not intended for action, but maybe -"non-action" by non-consumption.
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