answer:I think it depends on the drug and usage. I’ve seen a beautiful 22 yr old man that burnt himself to the core by using too much acid. It was very sad. That being said, I’ve known a LOT of old hippies and they seem to be doing okay well into their senior years. I do feel that drugs are NOT necessary to acheive transcendental states of mind. I don’t feel the negatives outway the positives for most people. Most recreational users, not HARD CORE ADDICTS, do not have any long-term affects from what I’ve seen.