Does smoking lead to other drugs?

[VOR]

I have a question about those who smoke tobacco, and it is more for non-scientific research than anything else.  For those of you who smoke(d) tobacco, did you move on to other illegal substances such as marijuana?  If so, do you think that smoking was the catalyst?  I am a prevention specialist and I believe in the gateway drug theory, however, I'm curious to see how accurate the theory is.

Thanx in advance,

[mr.lucky66]

IF I NEVER SMOKED, I WOULDN'T HAVE BECOME A DRUG ADDICT. WHAT IS THIS FOR?

[VOR]

I'm tracking.  But here is a follow-up question.  Do you think that you would have gone on to the other drugs if you had not started smoking cigs first?  Part of the gateway theory is that what leads to the use of other drugs is not just the nicotine, but also the idea that you are doing something that is dangerous or forbidden; taboo like.  So if you are man/woman enough to smoke cigs, then no one is going to tell you that you can't do something else.  This all goes hand-in-hand with the feelings derived from the drug, the need to fit in, and so on.  Does that make sense?

If someone realizes the inherent dangers of smoking, it's fair to say that they probably also understand the inherent dangers of other drugs.  And if they choose not to smoke, then it's more likely they won't use other harder drugs.  Again, this is not always the case.  I also agree that the people you hang around with play a significant role in what you will do.  The flip side though, is that there are many who are grow up in homes where drugs and alcohol are used frequently or they hang around others who use drugs, yet they themselves do not use those substances.

[villaxx]

For me it was the people or society I was around that lead me onto more than just smoking cigs. When I saw that people were having a more enjoyable time smoking weed, doing coke, x, lsd i wanted to enjoy it too so I did. Without seeing the enjoyment of these people when stimulated with these substances, drugs would of never crossed my mind.

[mr.lucky66]

I started smoking at 15 and was a full blown addict by 20. I quit all the drugs several years ago but am still having problems with smoking. I quit late last year with the help of chantix but have slipped a few times but stopped once for 3 months. I started about a week ago and will smoke my last one later today and quit again and maybe this time not go back. I may be a bit disapointed, but have been able to quit for the first time in my life for several months which I could never do before and can do again.

I think that if a person smokes and is a ex addict/alcoholic, they have a greater chance of relapse if they smoke. I can't tell you why but I belive it and think all addicitions are interconnected. I also belive that smoking is a Gateway drug.

[VOR]

I don't think there are very many people who subscribe to the idea that class is the only reason for drug use.  I think you may have misunderstood what I was saying.  I certainly do not believe this, nor have I ever said that poor people are more predisposed to using drugs.  Latchkey does not mean lower economic status.  It simply means that the parent(s) are not there when the kids get home after school or activities.  I'm sorry if what I said gave the indication that I think people of lower class status smoke.  Both of my parents smoked and we were not poor.  

Drugs affect all backgrounds, races, religions, financial classes.  I have been to many affluent schools where drugs are as much a problem as in inner city, less affluent schools.  In reality, the lower class and less educated are not the ones most influenced by taking on higher drugs as you said.

Yes, education does play a role in drug prevention, as much as role modeling by parents and community.  It's easy to say that someone from the inner city who is less educated is more likely to use drugs.  However, we see that drug use crosses all socioeconomic and education backgrounds.

I agree that there are many people who use harder drugs such as crack, yet never did or do not smoke.  I am saying, however, that the data indicates that if you smoke, you are more likely to use harder drugs than if you don't smoke.  This does not have anything to do with financial status or education.  

[askingyou]

I'm getting the idea and feeling that people who smoke are considered " the Low Class"
of people.
I wasn't raised low class, and neither were my kids.  They were typical kids who picked up the same habit as their parents.   " Coffee and cigarettes".  My kids had a normal life out in the suburbs.  They were into sports, raising animals, fishing and dirt bikes.  Never , never had a problem with them using drugs or drinking alcohol.  Nor foul mouth too.

I believe you may be talking about kids from the " Inner City" class.  Yes the lower class and less educated.   Those are the ones most influenced by taking on higher drugs.
If I raised my kids in the heart of NJ. where they where born,  yes they would have more influence on drugs.
Not because they smoked cigarettes.
Instead we chose to live   an  old fashion country style, in Pa.  And I am so grateful
we made that choice to raise them there.  The kids were different along with the schools.

It's where you live along with what "class" of people you hang with. That's how you determine if they will take on higher drugs.

There are many professional doctors who are on "Crack", but yet won't consider themselves in a" lower class" of people and won't  even touch cigarettes.
Maybe I should turn that one into a question for you.?
How about it?

I