|
|
|
I'm worried that the overweight will be shunned in the workplace and these new rules will make no one want to hire them.
What do you think about the false accusation of groping against men on trains? "I was molested by perverts on a train when I was a primary school student." |
|
 | |
Death rate high for Mainichi employees
China boom helps Tokyo homeless
Is a China-free diet possible in Japan?
Fuji TV panics over announcer's future
Ministry squabbles overshadow collision
Love hotels target women
Softbank discount for Koreans backfires
| Put your money under your futon |
| Pros and cons of online matchmaking |
| Japan's new, improved diplomacy |
| Tokyo professionals - recession proof? |
| Petsitters lend helping hand |  |
| Japan's love affair with all that blooms | |
| 'Yasukuni' director feels heat | |
| MLB popularity at all-time high |
| A life in the day of a clown |  |
| Once upon a Times Square | |
| All in a night's work for Eiko Koike | |
| Nicole Kidman having a big year |
 | Anyone for tea Melon Tea Pot |  |
| Karaoke mic for MP3 players LAT-PKARA01, Logitec | |
| Wireless access point for gaming devices CG-WLGAP01, Corega |
| Discreet elegance Chieko Ino, Akris Japan Ltd |  |
| A world of culinary delights Kozo Hasegawa, Global-Dining, Inc | |
| Redefining the hotel business Lothar R Pehl, Starwood Hotels Japan Co |
| One version of the American dream Jilted in San Francisco |  |
| Re-examining history yet again From Marco Polo Bridge to Pearl Harbor | |
| Unlocking the imagination Visions of delight |
what is rss?
Japan Today Mobile
About Us
Terms | Moderation | Privacy
Copyright ©2008
Stimulants now drug of choice
Does Japan have a drug problem? Shukan Taishu (Dec 31) fears it does — a rapidly growing one. Drug use, the magazine claims, is spreading far beyond its traditional sphere in the entertainment world, tempting children as young as the early teens and — more surprisingly, perhaps — a rising number of housewives.
Maybe entertainers are setting the example. Everything they do is news, and when people like singer Akira Akasaka, formerly of the pop group Hikaru Genji, and the son of actress Keiko Mita are arrested (the latter for the third time) for alleged use of illegal stimulants, everyone knows about it, and somehow the message that gets across is not that drug use is dangerous and illegal, but that it’s cool because it’s what the stars do.
Once upon a time, Shukan Taishu hears from a journalist covering the drug scene, marijuana was the narcotic of choice among the entertainers. Now, for some reason, it seems to be stimulants — an ominous shift, because stimulants tend to be addictive.
A U.S. government report in September pinpointed Japan as Asia’s most profitable market for stimulants. That’s not surprising — Japan, more than other Asian countries, is full of people who can afford the stuff. Thus, says Shukan Taishu, “Japan makes a good target for the world’s narcotics vendors.”
The National Police Agency thinks in terms of a drug market worth anywhere from 540 billion to 1 trillion yen. Its latest figures pertain to 2006, when arrests were down from the previous year but the value of confiscated drugs was way up. The notable thing about the arrest figures is the overwhelming prevalence of stimulants in the charge sheets — 11,606 arrests in 2006 pertained to stimulants. Marijuana, a distant second, figured in 2,288 arrests; MDMA (ecstasy) in 370.
It’s less the numbers than the spread of drug consumption to what is normally thought of as straight society that alarms Shukan Taishu. In July, police in Shibuya arrested five alleged vendors of stimulants and marijuana, along with 72 of their alleged customers. Among the latter were students, company employees, housewives, even a lawyer.
In November, two members of the Kanto Gakuin rugby team were arrested for allegedly growing marijuana in a dormitory closet. Twelve members of the squad reportedly admitted smoking it. The coach resigned to take responsibility.
Why the sudden proliferation? The simplest answer is that narcotics are getting easier to obtain. At a Fukuoka private prep school, Shukan Taishu hears from a journalist, marijuana is sold in cigarette form for 1,000 to 2,500 yen each. The Internet opens up sales routes of its own that minimize contact between buyer and seller, complicating the task of law enforcers.
Another interesting explanation that emerges is the spread of harmless-sounding nicknames. Stimulants are “ice;” marijuana is “grass,” and so on. “From the buyer’s point of view,” comments another journalist, “‘stimulants’ sounds scary, but there’s nothing scary about ‘ice.’”
Law enforcement officials offer a stark choice: “Give up stimulants, or give up your humanity.”
“That expression has been around for a long time,” concludes Shukan Taishu. “It’s more relevant now than ever.”
December 28, 2007
Japan Today Discussion
| Stimulants now drug of choice |  |
plasticmonkey   (Dec 28 2007 - 16:33) | Rate | Report |
In any case, young people don't think drugs are "cool because it’s what the stars do". They just might think they can avoid doing time if caught.
| Stimulants now drug of choice | |
| higeki (Jan 2 2008 - 23:37) | Rate | Report |
| Stimulants now drug of choice | |
| zdaydream (Jan 3 2008 - 00:13) | Rate | Report |
I had no adverse effects because I restrained my use.
It's like pot also. I've smoked for years. But I limited my drug use to pot and the stimulents mentioned above which I don't indulge anymore. I stayed away from crack, crank, cocaine, PCP, E and many others. But self control is required. Something that most kids don't know how to do.
Oh I know that most won't agree with my opinion, but unless you have lived a life of drugs and been there and watched those who couldn't control their habits.
I'm 55 years old. I've used drugs off and on for 38 years. I've had a successful career, retired and we're planning my part-time/retirement years. Mastered a new career and we're very happy and stable. <:-)
| Where can I get "ice" or "grass" | |
| pheonixcell (Jan 5 2008 - 17:30) | Rate | Report |
| "illegal stimulants" | |
| Sarge (Jan 5 2008 - 18:00) | Rate | Report |
| NOTICE | |
| dxjp (Jan 8 2008 - 10:58) | Rate | Report |
The term ICE is BS they been calling it shabu for ever and if someone used that term it would be in an attempt to be descreet or a wanna be baller.
I was a user and an abuser of it. Yes you can go a week with out sleep on it and get allot of work done. I saw a aquaintance get arrested for it and quit that moment. This 12 step BS is just that. I think if you have the nerve to make the choice to use it then you better have the nads to stop when you go out of control.
I still occasionaly use a little coke or hash when im not in japan, have a healthy carrer, and have never pissed my life away on drugs. Sorry I cant say that for my alcoholic friends that have nothing but the bottom of a bottle.
| Stimulants now drug of choice | |
| nitro (Jan 9 2008 - 10:04) | Rate | Report |
Just got to most bars in Roppongi and ask a few bartenders.. should take you about 8 mins.. you'd be suprised just how easy it is to get anything you want in Japan, and not that expensive either.
| Stimulants now drug of choice | |
| Nessie (Jan 9 2008 - 14:48) | Rate | Report |
Stimulants have been the drug of choice for well over a decade. This is old news.
| Stimulants now drug of choice. | |
| taka13 (Jan 16 2008 - 08:48) | Rate | Report |
There was no euphoria. No sense of "high." It kept me awake, made me thirsty, chapped my lips and made me annoyed with everyone around me.
It was not a hard decision to give that up.
Taka
| Stimulants now drug of choice | |
| bluebandit (Jan 27 2008 - 14:59) | Rate | Report |
 |
Login to post your opinion or register now for free.
|