"Recreational Heroin does not help one deal with reality but rather to deny
it. (Taken for severe pain it is another matter). Cars however do help one
to deal better with reality. Travel across a continent is possible in only a
handfull of days with cars (not to mention the bounties aquired in trade for
those who don't even drive).Heroin's only destination however is the grave."
Heroin helps the user deal with reality by changing their perception
of it, thereby changing their expectations, emotional state, etc. Placebo
effects and positive thinking work in the same way, just without a chemical
basis. This is a denial of some aspects of the user's environment, but this
does nothing to invalidate the assistance that it provides to the user in
dealing with reality overall.
Cars help drivers (and passengers) deal with distance by allowing
them to ignore environmental aspects such as (most) weather conditions,
personal endurance and quickness, etc. Heroin helps the user deal with his
environment by changing what is perceived and how it is interpreted. Valid
analogy.
Cars, if driven without skill, in a state of disrepair, or in
certain conditions (e.g., over substantial puddles, causing them to
hydroplane) can aid in the production of fatal accidents (due to increased
speeds, possible explosions, etc.). Heroin, if used in excessive doses, or
if used in inappropriate situations (e.g., flying an F-16) can aid in the
production of fatalities due to its biochemical effects. Valid analogy.
However, this is distinct from the previous one: here, "heroin, like an
automobile, presents an increased risk of fatalities..." vs. "heroin, like
an automoblie, helps the user deal with [insert item here]."
[My apologies if this restates portions of the thread -- I've been
skimming inbetween classes.]
SGK