Fiction Blog Post #1

Evaluate the danger of abusing drugs.

It is extremely dangerous to abuse drugs. Abusing drugs not only affects the drug user physically and mentally, but also those around the user. In the novel, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Thompson and his attorney drive to Las Vegas to cover the Mint 400. They constantly take numerous amounts of drugs; putting themselves and others in grave danger. "We had two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high-powered blotter acid, a salt shaker half full of cocaine, and a whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers...Not that we needed all that for the trip, but once you get locked into a serious drug collection, the tendency is to push it as far as you can"(4). Thompson and the attorney are in a world controlled by drugs. They buy as many drugs as they physically can. This is extremely dangerous, because they are mixing strong drugs every hour or so. Through their drug abuse, they experience numerous mental problems. They experience very vivid and strong hallucinations, such as humans becoming giant lizards. Paranoia also greatly affects them and they believe everyone is out to get them. The attorney also goes through a time where he wants to commit suicide, but Thompson helps him through it. Drug abuse not only is a danger to the user, but also the community. Thompson and his attorney drive throughout Las Vegas while they are extremely high, going at crazy speeds while having trouble focusing. This is dangerous to all other drivers and pedestrians. They also experience physical symptoms from their drug abuse, ranging from their bodies hurting to physically craving the drugs. Drug abuse is a serious problem in our country and throughout the world. It can lead to serious physical and mental health issues. Numerous individuals take drugs once and are forever addicted. Once an individual is addicted to drugs, they will spiral down into a world controlled by drugs. A drug user might start off with a drug like marijuana, but then to increase their high, begin using drugs like cocaine and meth. Abuse may develop from sporatic drug use to daily use, or even worse, every few hours.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson