I never imagined the story I associate with my own coming of age could cause reactions like stunned gasps and long periods of uncomfortable silence, followed by rapid-fire questions for gory details. Heroin, it seems, is still just out of reach of even the heartiest of partiers. It has a Holy Grail quality to it and its esteem is astounding to me, considering our socialization around this headliner of poison....MORE

Robin Williams once said that cocaine “is God’s way of telling you that you make too much money.” Of course, Mr. Williams was speaking during a time when coke was nearly three times as expensive as it is today, going for about $277 a gram in 1980, compared to an average $100 a gram in 2004....MORE

Wannabe anarchists and teenagers supporting a voter registration drive? I had assumed that most of them would give the middle finger to anyone suggesting that our votes could make a difference in such a messed up country. But instead of cynical indifference, they cheered Jello Biafra when he stated, “I’m all for insurrection in the streets. I was here in 1999 during the anti-WTO demonstrations. But if you really want to change things right now, you’re going to have to get out there and vote Bush’s ass out of office!”. ...MORE

While picking up “supplies” for Burning Man, I had a chat with my friend, who has dealt marijuana, hash, mushrooms, and sometimes Merinol (a THC pill) for about a year now. Tom (not his real name) prefers the term “medicinal and recreational supply specialist” because drug dealer sounds so seedy. ...MORE

For about six months, I had a drug dealer living at my house (he was my roommate’s boyfriend). I didn’t know he was dealing/using drugs at first, and by the time I realized what was going on, he was already on his way to jail. I was lucky—looking back on it now I was in a very dangerous situation—I ould have been robbed, someone could have been hurt or killed in my house, or I could have gotten arrested as an accessory to one of my roommate’s boyfriend’s crimes. ...MORE

Fun stats from the New England Journal of Medicine, the FBI's Crime Report, the White House Drug Data, Mother Jones, and others....MORE

Many a concerned Democrat wishes Ralph Nader the spoiler would drop out of the presidential election. Many who support Nader in principle will sigh with resignation as they cast their votes for John Kerry in November. Many a conservative unhappily votes for Republicans rather than Libertarians in every election. Many who are unhappy with their choices have given up on voting altogether. ...MORE

By Matt Bernstein Sycamore

In high school, my friends and I would drink pitcher after pitcher of margaritas at Las Rocas—where they didn’t ask for ID—then smoke as much pot as possible and sing the words to “Jane Says” until we passed out. We discovered warehouse parties and nightclubs, noise and laughter—the later we stayed out, the better.. ...MORE

This month’s question: If you could create any drug, what would it be called and what would it do?...MORE

The Seattle Drinking Directory
With Leone from LO_FI behind the bar ...MORE

The Portland Drinking Directory
With Holly from Porky's Pub behind the bar ...MORE

By Miranda Pinero

Scared of meth? Bored by hash? Too old for huffing? Me too. Here are a few suggestions for escaping this sometimes-dreary world. ...MORE