Quoting Rohan McLeod (rhn@jeack.com.au):
My point being that constructive uses probably exist for all these substances which we describe as drugs: caffeine,, ethyl alcohol, opiates, amphetamines, psychedelics......
Here's an interesting example of an opiate: loperamide (4-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidin-1-yl]-N,N-dimethyl-2,2- diphenylbutanamide). Taken orally, it slows down action of muscles controlling the large intestine, essentially relieving lower-digestive distress. _However_, the substance cannot accumulate in the central nervous system (permeability glycoprotein in the blood pumps it back out), with the result that it has -no neurological effect-. It doesn't make you sleepy or high: It pretty much cannot. In many countries, it's sold at chemists, under brands like Imodium, as an over the counter anti-diarrhoeal. But I am careful about which countries I visit with it in my luggage, as so many are rabid about punishing possession of 'opiates'.
Life is a dangerous business, various ethical ends and consistent ethical injunctions are proposed; the one Sartre proposes is that we accept full responsibility for our choices, or we will be found guilty of bad-faith !. Somewhat academic I would argue since regardless of whether one's current situation, is the consequence of one's choices or not; the problem is uniquely one's own.
Ah, a pleasure to meet another unfashionable existentialist.