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Drugs And Waterways

FORTUNATA

By FORTUNATA
in Living Afloat

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FORTUNATA Experienced

FORTUNATA

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Posted

Are drugs creeping onto the waterways? Controversial issue. It seems lately as if more and more boaters are using drugs although I base this on recent experience.

What do I have against it? Nothing really except when it may become either dangerous or not behind closed doors (i.e.intrusive).

By dangerous, I mean heavy consumption of alcohol or drugs on boats can technically be dangerous. Situations such as fires, not being aware and so on.

I have friends who did use drugs but have left it behind as past experience. I tried it myself once but it did little for me so I stick to exercise and the odd can of strong beer.

So many people now smoking cannabis and drinking on boats and I can't help but wonder about safety when I see people sometimes unsteady on their feet, falling over in the dead of night.

is this unique to me or more widely spread?

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bizzard Veteran II

bizzard

Posted
Posted

Are drugs creeping onto the waterways? Controversial issue. It seems lately as if more and more boaters are using drugs although I base this on recent experience.

What do I have against it? Nothing really except when it may become either dangerous or not behind closed doors (i.e.intrusive).

By dangerous, I mean heavy consumption of alcohol or drugs on boats can technically be dangerous. Situations such as fires, not being aware and so on.

I have friends who did use drugs but have left it behind as past experience. I tried it myself once but it did little for me so I stick to exercise and the odd can of strong beer.

So many people now smoking cannabis and drinking on boats and I can't help but wonder about safety when I see people sometimes unsteady on their feet, falling over in the dead of night.

is this unique to me or more widely spread?

Far far less these days than it used to be years ago i think.

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Leni Collaborator

Leni

Posted
Posted

Are drugs creeping onto the waterways? Controversial issue. It seems lately as if more and more boaters are using drugs although I base this on recent experience.

What do I have against it? Nothing really except when it may become either dangerous or not behind closed doors (i.e.intrusive).

By dangerous, I mean heavy consumption of alcohol or drugs on boats can technically be dangerous. Situations such as fires, not being aware and so on.

I have friends who did use drugs but have left it behind as past experience. I tried it myself once but it did little for me so I stick to exercise and the odd can of strong beer.

So many people now smoking cannabis and drinking on boats and I can't help but wonder about safety when I see people sometimes unsteady on their feet, falling over in the dead of night.

is this unique to me or more widely spread?

 

When my son bought his first boat it was a complete mess inside as three drunks had been living on it, out of their skulls most of the time. The owner sold it after one of the three staggered 'home' to the boat so drunk and / or stoned that he fell in the cut and drowned and the the others didn't even noticed for several days that he hadn't come back. This was about 15 years ago.

 

So, yes, it can be dangerous to drink and / or take drugs on a boat (as indeed it can be anywhere, in excess or in hazardous situations). But no, in my opinion it's not a recent phenomenon.

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cereal tiller Veteran

cereal tillerDonate to Canal World

Posted
Posted

When my son bought his first boat it was a complete mess inside as three drunks had been living on it, out of their skulls most of the time. The owner sold it after one of the three staggered 'home' to the boat so drunk and / or stoned that he fell in the cut and drowned and the the others didn't even noticed for several days that he hadn't come back. This was about 15 years ago.

 

So, yes, it can be dangerous to drink and / or take drugs on a boat (as indeed it can be anywhere, in excess or in hazardous situations). But no, in my opinion it's not a recent phenomenon.

Alcohol tends to be consumed in vast quantities when people are on a waterway,usually when socialising with other boaters.

 

Cannabis always seem more popular in canals,have been offered weed many times at canal events,but never when socialising on the thames or medway.

 

FORTUNATA'S remarks were just an observation,don't understand the impolite reaction he received,the excessive nature of the reply almost reminded me of a friend who was a long term weed user,he would have angry outbursts for no apparent reason.

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carlt Veteran II

carlt

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Posted

Well I spent the first 9 years of my boat owning life (the 80s) completely mashed so I'd say it was nothing new.

 

I find that the scruffier your boat, the better the substances you're offered so perhaps the OP has downgraded lately.

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Guest wanted

Guest wanted

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What separates the waterways and everywhere else ? You can get what you want where you want if you are looking. I don't think that owning a boat excludes or includes you from anything that isn't happening elsewhere.

 

I would sooner boat with someone who has had a spliff than spend a second in the company of some coked up banker.

 

Maybe it's time to legalise all drugs so that we can separate the problems from the misconceptions.

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davey b Collaborator

davey b

Posted
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Alcohol tends to be consumed in vast quantities when people are on a waterway,usually when socialising with other boaters.

 

Cannabis always seem more popular in canals,have been offered weed many times at canal events,but never when socialising on the thames or medway.

 

FORTUNATA'S remarks were just an observation,don't understand the impolite reaction he received,the excessive nature of the reply almost reminded me of a friend who was a long term weed user,he would have angry outbursts for no apparent reason.

 

Having lived in Chatham for nearly 5 years I'm very surprised - You usually get offered all sorts including fatherhood! :unsure:

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cereal tiller Veteran

cereal tillerDonate to Canal World

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I have never been offered anything exciting and my boat is ruddy scruffy. How does my boat have to look for people to offer me illicit chocolate?

Maybe you could put cloths over your boat with BOURNEVILLE printed on them,CADBURYS might sponsor you?

 

Make sure you spell it right,BONNEVILLE would produce a motorcycle or two! :rolleyes:

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Pentargon Collaborator

Pentargon

Posted
Posted (edited)
Damn,Here I was thinking this post might have a schedule similar to the 'Coal Boat Schedule' :P
Hang around Hillmorton for a few days and you can have all you can afford. I don't do either drugs or judgements but I have great senses (of hearing, smelling, seeing and keeping my mouth shut). Why should t'cut be any different from a landside village? Edited by Pentargon
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sueb Veteran II

sueb

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Hang around Hillmorton for a few days and you can have all you can afford. I don't do either drugs or judgements but I have great senses (of hearing, smelling, seeing and keeping my mouth shut). Why should t'cut be any different from a landside village?

No one has offered me anything apart from a cup of coffee :rolleyes:

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bowten Rising Star

bowten

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Posted

I've been offered many things during life waterside and in central London but never narcs!

7.62 rounds in belts was probably the most unexpected!

Should have bought them,the way things are going you might need them.

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Ange Veteran

Ange

Posted
Posted

Well ...

 

 

there's quite a few boaters who drink alcohol - that's a drug isn't it? But then there's a lot of land based dwellers who drink alcohol.

 

A lot of boaters smoke cigarettes, another drug? Also one indulged by lots of people who live in houses.

 

I know a few boaters who like a spliff every now and then (oo we're getting into illegal territory so it must be wrong - who heard of someone who beat his wife up because he'd had one too many spliffs?) Again, I know a few people in houses who like the odd joint.

 

I don't know anyone who snorts cocaine or shoots up herion either on or off the waterways.

 

Which drugs are we referring to here?

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