Drugs And Gaming

Last week, in conjunction with the launch of our new Website design, TwitchGuru published a story that examined the use of illicit drugs and prescription medications in gaming, such as Ritalin and so-called "smart drugs." The article, "Gaming's New Drug Culture: Sex, Drugs and Counter-strike," received a fair amount of negative feedback and criticism. This was hardly a shock to either me or the article's co-author, Aaron McKenna. Considering the criticism that gaming has come under recently by way of overzealous legislators and media violence critics, it was no surprise that many readers took a defensive stance on the matter and objected to some gamers being characterized as drug addicts. Indeed, there is a strong urge to protect one's turf in this day and age of video games being portrayed as the boogey man.

Reading the numerous emails and Forumz comments, however, one thing was not entirely clear: whether or not gamers feel that using illegal drugs while playing is acceptable behavior. In essence, the question - can one be a true gamer is he or she is on drugs? - isn't a black or white one. First, it's difficult to figure out if a person is a drug user who occasionally plays video gamers or if he or she is a gamer who occasionally uses drugs. In fact, a few readers felt the LAN party that Aaron attended was nothing more than a drug party where people happened to be playing games. But is it acceptable to the gaming community when gamers become heavy drug users and rely on illicit substances to prolong and enhance their play? According to some feedback, the answer is a resounding no; in fact, much of the criticism we've received is from gamers who feel this type of LAN party doesn't represent the mainstream gamer. Other responses, however, tiptoe around the central issue and even give a free pass to such behavior.

On more than one occasion, readers have questioned why we have even broached this subject. For whom is the article intended, they ask? If parents, lawmakers and others outside the gaming world read this article, what will they think of our culture? Again, I understand the concern. No doubt many of the critics will see this story as a validation of theirs fears that video games are a corrosive force in society. I must state very clearly that I don't share this view, and I believe my own opinions about excessive legislation and knee-jerk media critics have been well-documented on TwitchGuru.

Nevertheless, we cannot hope to do our duty as journalists here at Tom's Hardware Guide and TwitchGuru if we simply limit our content to stories that are pleasing to the eyes and never ruffle the feathers of our readership. In order to be evenhanded and unbiased, reporters must often write difficult truths. To avoid stories that are negative in nature is to resort to self-censorship and propaganda. And to make believe that there is no issue regarding drug abuse among gamers would be a disservice to all our readers.

If TwitchGuru is going to continue to explore the issue of drugs and gaming, then it must take the pulse of the gaming community. It's only fair that we give our readers - the majority of whom are gamers - an opportunity to respond to the article and present their own opinions and experiences on the matter, however contrary or critical those opinions are to the article itself. As a result, here are some of the responses we've received via email letters and the TwitchGuru games forum. Some of the comments have been abridged and corrected for grammar and spelling.

Christopher1 writes: "The facts are that drugs and alcohol are a part of MANY people's lives, not just in the gaming circles, and that is not going to EVER change. People are just going to have to accept that some people are going to use drugs in order to get a high, and simply treat it when that casual use turns to addiction, if it even ever does.

"I have MANY friends who do drugs, ranging from PCP to meth, and most of them have steady jobs, good family lives and wonderful children. Much of what is blamed on 'drug use' comes from poverty and the over-arching drive of managers and management to get rid of anyone who even 'looks' like they are taking drugs. Facts are, most people who use drugs are less violent than the population in general, have fewer confrontations and have very good lives. It's only when they start using the drugs not for a momentary pleasure, but to blot out disappointments in their lives that you start having problems. Much of the 'violence' that stems from drugs also comes not from them, but from the prohibitory laws, the same way that alcohol prohibition led to escalating violence."

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