Anti-Drug Campaign

[TickleMonsterD]

I'm in the process of creating and selling merchandise on Zazzle.com, but I recently and unfortunately came across some pieces of shit selling shirts that say "I don't need life, I'm high on drugs", and as a result, I'm looking to create an anti-drug campaign where everyone who gets involved will scour the internet for merchandise like this, sign up for an account on the site, and report it for glorifying or encouraging drug use/abuse. While this is off of the point, you can keep your account and create and sell your own merchandise, whether it's tickling-related or not, if you wish (more money for you then).

Sayings like this are dangerous and morally-irresponsible, because any youth who doesn't know any better will read it and then think its perfectly okay to get ahold of crack, cocaine, PCP, meth, heroin, etc, and then engage in reckless behaviors that can take their lives or someone else's, or permanently damage their lives or someone else's. For anyone who's a parent, I'm sure you've had this fear at one point or another. I'm not a parent myself (although I plan to be one day), but I do have a niece, second cousins who are younger than her, and neighbors with kids about the same age as my second cousins, and the LAST thing I want to see is ANY of their lives go downhill because of drug abuse. I should also mention that this is insulting to families who have had to put their relatives into rehab, or even into a grave, because said relative has had a history of drug abuse.

Help put an end to this once and for all!

 

[Wolf]

I'm in the process of creating and selling merchandise on Zazzle.com, but I recently and unfortunately came across some pieces of shit selling shirts that say "I don't need life, I'm high on drugs", and as a result, I'm looking to create an anti-drug campaign where everyone who gets involved will scour the internet for merchandise like this, sign up for an account on the site, and report it for glorifying or encouraging drug use/abuse. While this is off of the point, you can keep your account and create and sell your own merchandise, whether it's tickling-related or not, if you wish (more money for you then).

Sayings like this are dangerous and morally-irresponsible, because any youth who doesn't know any better will read it and then think its perfectly okay to get ahold of crack, cocaine, PCP, meth, heroin, etc, and then engage in reckless behaviors that can take their lives or someone else's, or permanently damage their lives or someone else's. For anyone who's a parent, I'm sure you've had this fear at one point or another. I'm not a parent myself (although I plan to be one day), but I do have a niece, second cousins who are younger than her, and neighbors with kids about the same age as my second cousins, and the LAST thing I want to see is ANY of their lives go downhill because of drug abuse. I should also mention that this is insulting to families who have had to put their relatives into rehab, or even into a grave, because said relative has had a history of drug abuse.
Help put an end to this once and for all!

Do you feel the same way about merchandise that glorifies consumption of alcohol?

 

[TickleMonsterD]

Do you feel the same way about merchandise that glorifies consumption of alcohol?

There's a difference between drinking responsibly and getting drunk. If there was merchandise that said "Please drink responsibly. No one likes a drunk.", that's fine because it's encouraging people to know their limits when consuming alcohol. If there was merchandise that said "I don't need life, I'm drunk on Bud", that's a problem because it's encouraging people to think that getting drunk is perfectly okay.

 

[Wolf]

There's a difference between drinking responsibly and getting drunk. If there was merchandise that said "Please drink responsibly. No one likes a drunk.", that's fine because it's encouraging people to know their limits when consuming alcohol. If there was merchandise that said "I don't need life, I'm drunk on Bud", that's a problem because it's encouraging people to think that getting drunk is perfectly okay.

And you're saying getting drunk (without harming anyone, driving, etc) isn't okay?

 

[TickleMonsterD]

And you're saying getting drunk (without harming anyone, driving, etc) isn't okay?

Getting drunk in that regard isn't okay either, because it can lead to a person developing multiple health issues (here's a link from WebMD you should look at: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/addiction-heavy-drinking), and while they may not harm someone, someone else could harm them, such as spiking their drink with hard liquor and date raping them.

 

[pacattack]

I think you're kicking a pretty hard goal post here.

If someone wants to sell a shirt they should be able to.

Have you ever done drugs? Sure they aren't healthy, and can lead to very serious problems... mostly for the addicted individual.

If you really want to make a difference, approach this challenge from a place of compassion, instead of trying to destroy the creative pursuits of others.

Maybe start with this Ted Talk.

https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_ha..._about_addiction_is_wrong/up-next?language=en

 

[Bohemianne]

As far as I know, drug addiction and other stigmatized theorems are all over the MTV for a decade already. Selling T-shirts is just a speck of the whole show. It means, the web hosts can take care of these issues once they get flagged. In the meantime, I understand that you are a concerned citizen.

 

[TickleMonsterD]

I think you're kicking a pretty hard goal post here.

If someone wants to sell a shirt they should be able to.

Have you ever done drugs? Sure they aren't healthy, and can lead to very serious problems... mostly for the addicted individual.

If you really want to make a difference, approach this challenge from a place of compassion, instead of trying to destroy the creative pursuits of others.

Maybe start with this Ted Talk.

https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_ha..._about_addiction_is_wrong/up-next?language=en

I have no problem with people selling shirts if they want to, because I had said in my original post that I was going to create and sell merchandise, which will include shirts. The difference between me and these assholes is the merchandise I'd sell wouldn't encourage bad behaviors or habits. Instead, I'd sell merchandise based on public domain works, such as Thor and Little Red Riding Hood, as well as original drawings I'd create. No doubt I'm not the first person to do that. To answer your question, no I never abused drugs, and nor do I plan to, because I don't want to get myself into a position where I am doing that, and then have to deal with serious health problems or death as a result.

 

[pacattack]

I have no problem with people selling shirts if they want to, because I had said in my original post that I was going to create and sell merchandise, which will include shirts. The difference between me and these assholes is the merchandise I'd sell wouldn't encourage bad behaviors or habits. Instead, I'd sell merchandise based on public domain works, such as Thor and Little Red Riding Hood, as well as original drawings I'd create. No doubt I'm not the first person to do that. To answer your question, no I never abused drugs, and nor do I plan to, because I don't want to get myself into a position where I am doing that, and then have to deal with serious health problems or death as a result.

Then don't talk as if you have a clue regarding addiction. Or moderate drug use for that matter.

There are a lot of shades of grey when it comes to psychoactive substances. It isn't a black or white matter.
There are people in the world who can do drugs and also go to the gym, train for marathons, and live a healthy life. I'd bet a lot of money that there are drug users out there more physically and mentally healthy than you. All of them? Of course not. The point here is that drug use and health isn't a black and white thing. Unfortunately, many people who never did them usually can't see that.

Plus, sometimes a funny t-shirt is just that... humor.

Drug merch isn't one of the problems contributing to drug use. If anything, looking at drug use and addiction through the lens of shame, is.

 

[TickleMonsterD]

Then don't talk as if you have a clue regarding addiction. Or moderate drug use for that matter.

There are a lot of shades of grey when it comes to psychoactive substances. It isn't a black or white matter.
There are people in the world who can do drugs and also go to the gym, train for marathons, and live a healthy life. I'd bet a lot of money that there are drug users out there more physically and mentally healthy than you. All of them? Of course not. The point here is that drug use and health isn't a black and white thing. Unfortunately, many people who never did them usually can't see that.

Plus, sometimes a funny t-shirt is just that... humor.

Drug merch isn't one of the problems contributing to drug use. If anything, looking at drug use and addiction through the lens of shame, is.

I don't have a drug addiction, but I do have a moderate addiction to porn and the internet. For months now, I've been trying to get a job and keep it, and I've been wanting to improve my general health, but me allowing myself to get distracted by porn and various sites has made it difficult for me to remain focused on getting a job and exercising more. I've tried unplugging my monitor, but as soon as I plug it back in, I go right back to the same habits. Because it ties into time management, I also struggle with getting things completed in a timely manner, such as when I was supposed to pick up my niece for her orthodontist appointment, and I ended up getting there so late, my brother ended up rescheduling it. Situations like that lead to me getting frustrated with myself, and ironically, I later forget about it, and go right back to porn and web-surfing. I should look into getting treatment for these issues, and one way I could do that is getting a job at this restaurant near me (as I already had an interview with them), and then going to the library to work on creating and selling my merchandise, as well as to avoid distractions like porn.

Because of my own struggles with addiction, I wouldn't shame, stigmatize, or punish anyone else who's also suffering from it, because I wouldn't want to be treated like that as well. Yes, having one can often become a problem, but wearing a shirt that talks about how you don't need a life because of it is a far worse problem because there plenty of easily impressionable sheeple out there, who will start up bad habits because they see other the sheep doing it, and because they want be a part of the "in" crowd. It's those habits that can become dangerous to themselves, or to someone else, if they're not careful enough with what they're doing. THAT is my driving point behind all of this.

 

[Wolf]

I don't have a drug addiction, but I do have a moderate addiction to porn and the internet. For months now, I've been trying to get a job and keep it, and I've been wanting to improve my general health, but me allowing myself to get distracted by porn and various sites has made it difficult for me to remain focused on getting a job and exercising more. I've tried unplugging my monitor, but as soon as I plug it back in, I go right back to the same habits. Because it ties into time management, I also struggle with getting things completed in a timely manner, such as when I was supposed to pick up my niece for her orthodontist appointment, and I ended up getting there so late, my brother ended up rescheduling it. Situations like that lead to me getting frustrated with myself, and ironically, I later forget about it, and go right back to porn and web-surfing. I should look into getting treatment for these issues, and one way I could do that is getting a job at this restaurant near me (as I already had an interview with them), and then going to the library to work on creating and selling my merchandise, as well as to avoid distractions like porn.

Because of my own struggles with addiction, I wouldn't shame, stigmatize, or punish anyone else who's also suffering from it, because I wouldn't want to be treated like that as well. Yes, having one can often become a problem, but wearing a shirt that talks about how you don't need a life because of it is a far worse problem because there plenty of easily impressionable sheeple out there, who will start up bad habits because they see other the sheep doing it, and because they want be a part of the "in" crowd. It's those habits that can become dangerous to themselves, or to someone else, if they're not careful enough with what they're doing. THAT is my driving point behind all of this.

Seeing as how you have a porn addiction, and have real experience with the negative effects it can have, wouldn't it make more sense for you to start an anti-porn campaign?

 

[TickleMonsterD]

Seeing as how you have a porn addiction, and have real experience with the negative effects it can have, wouldn't it make more sense for you to start an anti-porn campaign?

I was using that as an analogy to prove to him that I DO have a leg to stand on when it comes to talking about personal struggles with addiction problems. While I would start campaigning against porn and internet addiction as well, I personally see it making more sense to accomplish one goal at a time. If this anti-drug campaign actually goes somewhere, then I'll be hopeful that a campaign against porn, and later campaign against internet addiction, will cause lightning to strike twice (or three times in this matter).

 

[chicago]

"Self-righteousness is the devil's masterpiece to make us think well of ourselves."

 

[Wolf]

I was using that as an analogy to prove to him that I DO have a leg to stand on when it comes to talking about personal struggles with addiction problems. While I would start campaigning against porn and internet addiction as well, I personally see it making more sense to accomplish one goal at a time. If this anti-drug campaign actually goes somewhere, then I'll be hopeful that a campaign against porn, and later campaign against internet addiction, will cause lightning to strike twice (or three times in this matter).

So, you think it's more important to address the problems other people have, first, then, maybe...address your own self-diagnosed addictions?
Isn't that kind of...convenient?

 

[TickleMonsterD]

So, you think it's more important to address the problems other people have, first, then, maybe...address your own self-diagnosed addictions?
Isn't that kind of...convenient?

I get what you're saying. The problem is I already started this campaign, so now I might as well finish what I started.

 

[Wolf]

I get what you're saying. The problem is I already started this campaign, so now I might as well finish what I started.

The "campaign" is you alone, right? And, how would you define what "finishing" entails?

 

[TickleMonsterD]

The "campaign" is you alone, right? And, how would you define what "finishing" entails?

You obviously didn't read the last part of the original post where I said "Help put an end to this once and for all!", meaning I was asking people on here to help me remove the merchandise from various websites. My definition of finishing is being vigilant on the internet and making sure that the merchandise is no longer being sold anywhere. Yes, they'll occasionally pop up again, but as long as everyone involved in this campaign keeps getting the merchandise taken down, the creators of the merchandise will eventually give up because they'll be fighting an uphill battle that will push them off of a cliff.

 

[BrightEyes1082]

Imagine how much money you'd have if you channeled the energy you're spending harassing people who make tshirts that you don't like into a job. You say you could go work at a restaurant nearby, so maybe you should do that. You'll never rid the internet of merchandise you don't like. Use your time for something that matters.

 

[Wolf]

You obviously didn't read the last part of the original post where I said "Help put an end to this once and for all!", meaning I was asking people on here to help me remove the merchandise from various websites. My definition of finishing is being vigilant on the internet and making sure that the merchandise is no longer being sold anywhere. Yes, they'll occasionally pop up again, but as long as everyone involved in this campaign keeps getting the merchandise taken down, the creators of the merchandise will eventually give up because they'll be fighting an uphill battle that will push them off of a cliff.

So, you have to complete an impossible task, changing other people's behavior, before you do anything about your own issues? What was thing in the Bible, about the mote in thy neighbor's eye?

 

[TickleMonsterD]

Imagine how much money you'd have if you channeled the energy you're spending harassing people who make tshirts that you don't like into a job. You say you could go work at a restaurant nearby, so maybe you should do that. You'll never rid the internet of merchandise you don't like. Use your time for something that matters.

So, you have to complete an impossible task, changing other people's behavior, before you do anything about your own issues? What was thing in the Bible, about the mote in thy neighbor's eye?

After reading your responses, and thinking about what I should say in response, I decided to change my approach where I'd advocate all of us creating merchandise that says "I don't need addiction in my life. I have better ways to spend my time." At least by doing that, it's covering ALL addictions, not just porn, internet, and drugs, and its not requiring people to keep reporting merchandise, where they'd then deal with it coming back up again. Hopefully that will phase out merchandise that says "I don't need life, I'm high on drugs".

 

[Wolf]

After reading your responses, and thinking about what I should say in response, I decided to change my approach where I'd advocate all of us creating merchandise that says "I don't need addiction in my life. I have better ways to spend my time." At least by doing that, it's covering ALL addictions, not just porn, internet, and drugs, and its not requiring people to keep reporting merchandise, where they'd then deal with it coming back up again. Hopefully that will phase out merchandise that says "I don't need life, I'm high on drugs".

How would your "anti-addiction" merchandise phase out other products?

 

[TickleMonsterD]

How would your "anti-addiction" merchandise phase out other products?

Like I said, it wouldn't be just "my" merchandise, it'd be the merchandise of everyone who trying to help put a stop to all addictions. Why I make that important distinction is because if enough people created, sold, and wore anti-addiction shirts, it could increase the chances of addicts being inspired to seek help, and if enough addicts sought help after seeing those shirts, and consistently maintained contact with a support group, they wouldn't turn to addictive habits anymore, and therefore wouldn't feel the need to wear shirts that say they don't need life because of addiction.

 

[Bohemianne]

Like I said, it wouldn't be just "my" merchandise, it'd be the merchandise of everyone who trying to help put a stop to all addictions. Why I make that important distinction is because if enough people created, sold, and wore anti-addiction shirts, it could increase the chances of addicts being inspired to seek help, and if enough addicts sought help after seeing those shirts, and consistently maintained contact with a support group, they wouldn't turn to addictive habits anymore, and therefore wouldn't feel the need to wear shirts that say they don't need life because of addiction.

The quote sucks anyway. Focus on your business... I hope that one day your start-up concept would poke lives. Good luck!

 

[Wolf]

Like I said, it wouldn't be just "my" merchandise, it'd be the merchandise of everyone who trying to help put a stop to all addictions. Why I make that important distinction is because if enough people created, sold, and wore anti-addiction shirts, it could increase the chances of addicts being inspired to seek help, and if enough addicts sought help after seeing those shirts, and consistently maintained contact with a support group, they wouldn't turn to addictive habits anymore, and therefore wouldn't feel the need to wear shirts that say they don't need life because of addiction.

Do you really think a t-shirt would prompt someone with a legitimate addiction to seek treatment, when losing jobs, homes, families, their health, and their freedom doesn't do it? This is one of the problems that arise when people confuse addiction with something else.

Addictions aren't moderate. They destroy the addicts and those around them, even innocent bystanders who just happen to be too close at the time.
T-shirts are as effective as D.A.R.E programs and Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" BS. It's condescending.

 

[TickleMonsterD]

Do you really think a t-shirt would prompt someone with a legitimate addiction to seek treatment, when losing jobs, homes, families, their health, and their freedom doesn't do it? This is one of the problems that arise when people confuse addiction with something else.

Addictions aren't moderate. They destroy the addicts and those around them, even innocent bystanders who just happen to be too close at the time.
T-shirts are as effective as D.A.R.E programs and Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" BS. It's condescending.

Last night, I decided look up videos about moral busybodies to see if that describes me or not when talking about combating addiction, and sure enough, it hit me upside the head like a steel chair on WWE. When I realized that, I also realized how this isn't the first time I've come off this way to people, because I've pulled similar shit in the past without realizing it, and I'm a complete hypocrite, because I hated it when other people have stuck their nose where it didn't belong as well. Despite me being a person who despises censorship, I myself advocated exactly that with those shirts. On top of that, I'm aware I'm a militant person, especially when it comes to human rights abuses (because there's no way to justify treating a person like they're less than a human being), and sometimes I have a difficult time turning that on and off, because I let my emotions and morality get in the way of me using logic. Problems like corporate slavery, human trafficking, or the Military Industrial Complex making millions off of killing people are worth getting enraged by, but now I see that people wearing shirts that say "I don't life, I'm high on drugs" is more a perceived injustice than an actual one.

Because of all of that, and because people could easily continue to hound me in this post when I've already learned the hard way, I've decided to tap out with this issue, and leave this site after posting this response. If I asked to have this post deleted, it'd make me look immature and irresponsible, as well as a person who tries to hide behind a certain image even though it's a fraudulent one.