The Drug Dare: Film Yourself Blasting Off

We all know the War on Drugs has failed, and that the persecution drug users face every day is unjust and a result of propaganda. There are many out there, including us, who have made it their mission to protest this, and spread knowledge to help dispel the stigma surrounding drug use. One protester is taking this further, starting up a campaign that he hopes will go viral, showing the more positive side of drug use, and stimulating debate about legalization.

The protester in question is 25 year old college graduate Steven Casteel. His new campaign, titled ‘Drug Dare’ calls for drug users across the globe to film the positive experiences they have whilst high, no matter the drug, and then upload it to the internet. In his own words, these videos will help remove the “tidal wave of bullshit” surrounding the War on Drugs. He says the next time you rip a bong, go camping on LSD, or have sex on mushrooms, film it. “These kind of intimate experiences will get people talking.”

And he is not wrong; in a way, it is an excellent idea for stimulating discussion. Just look at the US where people, including celebrities (looking at you Seth Rogan) are freely lighting up their joints on TV like there is no tomorrow. It normalises the act, and is making a lot of people question how just the anti-cannabis movement is. It stimulates public debate, and that is what we need.

IS IT A SMART THING TO DO?

Along with the argument that it helps dispel the ‘bullshit’, there is also a strong argument that playing along with the Drug Dare is a pretty god damn stupid thing to do, especially if you ever want a job. The very thing that this movement tries to protest could be its downfall. These drugs are illegal, and by posting a video online of you doing them, you expose yourself to a whole new world of potential arse-ache.

For one, depending on the country you live in, the police will be monitoring social media to some degree or another. Whilst it is possession, not the act of taking drugs that is illegal in most places, uploading a clip of you high could stir police interest, and cause them to stake you out. The High Times wrote an article about it last year, where police claimed photos on social media warranted reasonable suspicion, and used them to lure dealers and users into traps.

Then you also have to think about your future job prospects. This protest has a lot of merit (we are not arguing against it), but maybe you want to be a teacher or doctor in the future – a position of responsibility and social worth. The problem is that should these video emerge during checks, you are likely to be denied your dream job. You have to keep this in mind.

This is something Steven Casteel himself admits. Saying, “There are potentially some very serious consequences you could face for posting a video like mine online. I've come to terms with the fact that I probably won't be allowed to be a public school teacher in America. But as the saying goes, I think the juice is worth the squeeze.”

And if you consider following in his footsteps, it is a decision you will also have to weigh up. There is a golden rule when it comes to the internet: once something is online, it is there forever in one form or another – there is no going back.

We applaud Steven for his effort. If it takes off, Drug Dare could really push forward the debate about legalization, and highlight to the world that there is a human, non-criminal side to recreational drug use. Just make sure that if you want to take part, you aware of the risks.