The happy days... and the not so happy days

In a galaxy filled with multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers and laughers.. lies a percentage (depending on who you're arguing with on how big or small that percentage is) it's a percentage none the less. Of people who actually need and use pills to their regular dosage and purpose. The other LARGE percent abuse and have or will eventually become dependent on their choice of poison.

In a rather small populated area I still could place a wager on that I couldn't throw a rock without hitting someone who's becoming increasingly dependent on pills. Since when did regular stress from a regular day classify as depressed?? Since when did having a headache justify the use of Vicodin?? I don't think any of our ancestors utilized these things to get through the day.

I guess my curiousity for this topic finally fell in my lap when a friend of mine.. whom i've known for sometime.. revealed to me that he's now on anti-depressants because school's stressing him out. Now im obviously not a doctor.. so I couldn't diagnose him either way.. what I do know is that sounds like a pretty lousy excuse for depressed. I obviously understand the fact that peoples chemistery is different and what could effect others heavily could roll off another persons shoulder. But 70 years ago.. if someone was stressed.. they got through it. I think with it being so accessible people find themselves looking for a reason to take it. I mean why not??? Happiness in a bottle.. who isn't intrigued?? But the sad reality is all they are doing is dumbing down your senses.. making you less aware of your surroundings. Call it a "crack-pot theory" if you will.. but we all know America and any other country don't ever really make anything strictly for the benefit of YOU.. there's always an under-lining where they are gaining profit and or making something off of you.

So let's talk the other side for a moment.

I don't mean to bad talk medicine or people who take it for justifiable reasons. Medicine is obviously there for a reason and most times i'd like to assume for a good reason. Certain people do need things to lift them up and get them through the day.. certain people have pain that's crippling them and without pain killers wouldn't be able to function I GET THAT. I understand that.. im not heartless... I just always like to pose the question.. "Where would you be if they didn't have that technology???"

I always have to revert back to the past. I mean there have always been means to cope with problems.. some being healthy (working out) some being unhealthy (booze, drugs). But the fact comes down to it.. as a population.. we're getting weaker, dumber and more medicated. God who knows in 40 years we could all be bubble boys (girls) because we've weakened our immune systems to the point where living outside of a sterile enviorment would kill us.

In short: We're becoming a nation of pussies and push-overs. If you NEED a pill take it.. but if you're taking it to cope or because you THINK you need it.. take a second before you pop it and ask yourself "Where would I be without this?"

Jammin: Bear vs. Shark