I have long witnessed the huge problem of drug addiction, vast numbers of people of my generation have had their lives destroyed..... yet at the same time I have been exposed to a number of individuals who have used substances responsibly and in moderation to evoke valuable experiences, some of which have the potential to liberate one from the confines of normal states of mind, of those trapped in a working class wasteland.
In a way I have been lucky to live in a city with many well experienced and responsible seekers....that have balanced out my experiences in the ghettos of abject drug induced idiocy, which make up what I call the working class wasteland. There are plenty of "yogis, hippies, and wondering sages who live life as a spiritual retreat and are always travelling to and fro, bringing back experiences, vantage points and substances which have enriched my life, and being a part of that has helped restore my faith in humanity.
Sassafras is a tonic root dug up by mountain people and used to make tea, or root beer...its legal and has a mild psychoactive effect, which can lead to unexpected and enjoyable sassy-ness....Ginseng is also another favorite of the indigenous people here.
There are countless other perfectly legal herbals that are perfectly safe to experiment with in moderation, as long as one approaches these plants and other substances from a place of well being with reverence and open curiosity.... instead of some pathological need to escape, in search of the perfect high.
I long ago discovered the truth about the prefect high.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGALoQoxXrU