I take dexamphetamine daily, on prescription (I'd be taking speed daily if I bought it from a guy on a street corner rather than picked it up from the local pharmacy), and my mum would be the first person to tell you how much better I am when I'm on it. It loses it's effectiveness over time and I take a break from it every 1-2 months to reduce my tolerance, which is a somewhat unpleasant experience due to the neurochemical kickback, and I get mild cravings for it during breaks from it, but it's a price worth paying for the benefits I get from it.
I understand prescription drugs can be more harmful than so called 'recreational' drugs. I've never denied some people need medication. What I am against is constant self medication without dealing with the real problem that lies beneath it, that is the dangerous part.
Peter, I've seen people very close to me completely fuck their lives up and break the hearts of their families with both prescribed and recreational drugs. I'm particularly conscious of having watched someone progress through the stages of having an occasional joint, through the whole gamut of rehab. Not just that person, but a large majority of the people who started out with 'harmless' drug use and alcohol use for that matter.
I've had this debate elsewhere on the site before, I just feel very strongly about drugs as a crutch for some people, particularly the recreational type when used on a consistent basis. I will always feel that way, and that is one opinion I will never stray on, I am sure. I'd like to think I am open minded on some things, but not this issue.