Hello everyone.
I've been reading this board for a good couple of weeks now. This subject really caught my attention.
(Ok... super long post, I'm sorry!)
I agree with you all... I find it very sad to know there's people out there abusing such a fantastic drug and being too young to realize what it can really do FOR you, not TO you. Although, like some of you are saying, age has nothing to do with it - it has to do with your mentality. Those as young as 12 in no WAY have the maturity to take any drug, IMO. Chances are, if they're in the situation to take drugs, they will probably be introduced to situations that they probably can't handle. Almost -everyone- in the younger teens thinks they know everything. Hell, I did.. and I know many of you would agree with me. I don't think anyone should even consider taking drugs at -least- until they realize this: We don't know everything, no matter how old we are.
This topic also saddens me because recently, my little cousin (who is the oldest besides myself) has started going to raves and taking drugs. She took E before -i- did, and she was barely 15. I talked to her about it, and she didn't seem to have a clue. She just said she was so skrewed up and it was somewhat scary. "Are you going to do it again?" I asked her... "Yep." All I could tell her is to please be careful.. there's not much you can tell a 15 year old girl that will make her listen. I know, I was once that 15 year old girl too.
I'm sorry if a lot of this sounds like generalizations... but keep in mind, I don't mean -everyone-, just a lot.
I also would like to share something with you all that I've lived by during my 'teen' years.
I started getting social and partying (not raves) when I was 14. I toyed with drinking and the like, but never went near drugs. At about 16, my life became a mess and drugs were being offered to me left and right. I bought a couple hits of acid (which never worked, fake stuff) and smoked a joint, which sent me into a panic attack and I've never touched the stuff since. Anyway, I'll get to the point.
At that time, I sat down and realized how much of a mess I was, and it was probably in my best interest to stay away from drugs or anything else that could bring me further down. I then made a pact to myself that I would not go near drugs until I felt that I was emotionally capable. That nothing was wrong with my life (to a certain extent, we all have problems) and that I was generally happy. Only then, I would try drugs - not to get away from life, but to experience a new part of life.
So, I didn't end up putting another drug into my body until I was 19. My life was going really nicely - I had gotten out of a bad long-term relationship and hooked up with a wonderful new boyfriend, I had finally gotten up off my ass and got a job, I had many positive friends who cared about me, and I didn't feel any tension in my household with my family. These were the very things I was thinking about before I was about to accept my first E pill. I had already been thinking about it, as I was doing quite a bit of research on the drug previous to that night.
I'm very glad I waited until I did, because I found E to be such a positive experience in a way where I could reflect on that night for what it was, and not sit around only thinking of the next time I was going to do it. I've dropped E a few times since then, and I am able to cherish every memory that I have while on it, knowing that new ones will come my way on and off the drug.
Maybe this isn't the best way to go about things for everyone, but I'm sure it could work for some people. I wish those in their pre-teens would, or could understand that drugs can be beautiful - when you know what you're doing, and you can truly appreciate what's going on.
It's like, when you were 8 years old, and you went camping with your parents... you're far away from the city. You're sitting a fire, looking up at the sky. It's not until later in life that camping has taken on a whole new light. The crackling of the fire becomes musical, the heat feels so nice on your body and the dancing of the flames tickles your eyes, causing you to sigh in utter amazement. The moon lights your surroundings ever so dimly, giving everything a soft, shimmering glow. The stars are so clear and you can lose yourself in the sky in a matter of seconds.
Do you see where I'm getting, here?
Anyhow, I suppose I'll shut the hell up.
For anyone who took time to read this - thanks. Whether you agree or disagree, those are my feelings that i've been wanting to get out for a while, now. Sya!