Day 63: Drugs

Drugs are like television and religion for many reasons:

1. All three are a nonconstructive and meaningless way of passing the time
2. They are addictive either psychologically or physically
3. Their main purpose is to escape reality
4. They cost money which could be put to better uses
5. They create their own little cliques and cults
6. They reduce our humanity as defined by our capacity to think independently
7. In spite of the first 6 points I am in favour of them all being legal (even TV)

Some people might say that I am not qualified to talk about drugs as my experience has been limited to a few spiffs in my youth.  But if that was the case I  would not be allowed to have an opinion on religion which I have never participated in or on gun control because I have never killed anyone (trying to strangle my sister doesn't count). 

So I'm looking for contributions:

How do you ensure people avoid carrying out unhealthy activities while at the same time maintaining their freedom and responsibility ?