Polydrug use is not a problem - it is the norm. Most people combine multiple substances

What is it about?

Polydrug use is a misnomer - most people combine substances as a matter of course but the term was invented in the early 70s as part of the newly declared war on drugs. By making out that 'drug users' were poly users the term was a justification for becoming tough on cannabis - marijuana - just as it was becoming socially tolerated and legally decriminalised in a number of US states. In conjunction with the 'gateway' or 'stepping stone' theory it was used to malign all drug use

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Why is it important?

Polydrug use is often seen as a particular phenomenon - well in fact it is the norm. It is the opposite, mono drug use that is the problem. People add sugar to their coffee, combine nicotine with caffeine, alcohol, cannabis and everything else. The more experienced people become in modulating their minds and moods the wider the range of substances they are likely to use. This is not an aberration but a positive development

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