To address some of the questions raised here:
Would you people actually consider what the consequences might be by filling out these stupid surveys?
Think about these things first:
Who is the benefit of this survey aimed at?
How does this survey benefit my interests?
Who and what companies and running/funding this survey?
Actually think about what this information is being used for, dont just mindlessly fill out surveys because they're fun.
Thanks for calling the survey stupid. While your points ARE worth asking, they aren't just for this study - they apply to any study related to drug (ab)use, and probably deserve their own thread. As such, I'm moving this out of the current study's discussion.
In most cases, you would be right that the information is being used by companies to determine what makes drugs so addictive, and how they can counter that while still meeting the basic need of the drug (ie, pain killers). Now, as to who is running and funding the surveys, we try to keep that in the opening post of any such study so you know going in - if not in the first post, then it is typically linked to the researcher's site which can give more information about the study as well as contacts for such questions to be raised if you are so inclined.
Such studies are aimed at a variety of people, but typically not a drug abuser or someone who uses them recreationally rather than by prescription. Does it server your interests? Depends upon who you are. Let me back up a second and remind our readers that while our site is being selected for help with this study primarily because so many of our members use drugs....not all our members abuse them or use them recreationally. Moreover, not all of the readers (members or lurkers) came here to abuse drugs - some came to educate themselves on the harm they are doing to themselves if they choose to use drugs - recreationally or not.
So, the results of such studies may change the drugs, or lead to changes in the ways drugs are obtained, but this works for all people - addicts, those on prescription, and anyone else who injests a substance. The results may indeed help drug abusers, in that it may lead to removal of some of the more harmful side effects or damage caused - did you think of that one? We all jump to the 'the drug won't be as much fun' which may be true, but isn't a given....nor is it the reason everyone is here, believe it or not.
^ Agreed..but I have a tendency to believe (and hope) that BL wouldn't have a link to it at the top of the page if it wasn't beneficial to the site in some way, or if it was created by people with interests that conflict with mine.
For what it's worth, BL has not 'partnered' with anyone other than Inflexxion; and with them only for a few surveys over the past year. We would not endorse or support a study that endangered our members, was irresponsible with it's intended results, or was generally against harm reduction. There needs to be some benefit to our members in taking the surveys - such as the reduction of harmful additives, or a better feedback to the drug makers in terms of what harm their drugs cause when abused. It is easy to sit back and say that BL is selling out the membership for fundings for the site, and to a degree, that is kinda of what's happening - these select surveys are helping the site financially. HOWEVER, we would not agree to any such situation if it weren't in the best interest of our members and readers.
Not all our members have the same needs, or reasons for being here. There are a variety of 'interests' to be met. Some can genuinely benefit from the results of these surveys, others can merely contribute their experiences in their answers and allow that history to help others. So, just because a survey doesn't meet an individual's needs does not mean it isn't meeting the needs or interests of other readers.
Thats all good and well but just remember reducing drug availability is considered harm reduction, bluelight is a H.R driven site. Therefore technically bluelight and these surveys have an interest that conflicts with yours.
...
Soon realise there is no actual way these surveys benefit us drug users.
Again, you assume that everyone has your interest - best way to get high. You can choose not to take such surveys, that is your right. But your knowledge and experience can help others - in the discussions all of you join in on the site's forums; but also by sharing this information in the surveys. Your choice, and maybe it benefits you personally or not, but the more who take the survey, the more it helps BL overall and keeps it online and available for you and everyone else.