Responsible drug use is a set of ideas and practices based on the theory that recreational substance use can be done in a healthy and responsible manner by consenting adults. It is related to the concept of harm reduction, which seeks to minimize the risks and potential harms of psychoactive substances while maximizing their benefits and utility.

According to the harm reduction approach, recreational substance use should be understood as an inherently high-risk activity that inevitably involves an elevated risk of addiction, serious injury, and death. Therefore, the most pragmatic strategy an individual can adopt (other than complete abstinence, which may not always be realistic or desirable) is to carefully research the substance's effects and take practical steps to reduce and mitigate potential risks and harms.

As an activity, recreational drug use can be viewed in a similar light as other risky-but-enriching activities, particularly extreme sports such as sailing, skiing, skydiving, surfing, and mountain climbing. More mundanely, it may be compared to driving a car, riding a motorcycle, or flying in an airplane. While these activities carry substantial risks, including death, it is widely understood that these risks can be minimized to an acceptable level with proper education and training, resulting in a net positive impact on the individual and society. In a modern context, these activities may be viewed as an inalienable expression of an individual's freedom, self-determination, and dignity.

The philosophy underlying responsible drug use is relatively radical in that it places absolute responsibility on the user to conduct proper research and take the necessary safety precautions. This is accompanied by the understanding that there is no such thing as truly "safe" use (only "safer" use) and that individuals are ultimately responsible for the outcomes of their decisions. Advocates point to the many well-known artists and intellectuals who have used drugs, experimentally or otherwise, with few detrimental effects on their lives. Critics argue that drugs are escapist, dangerous, unpredictable and sometimes addictive; therefore, responsible drug use is an illusion. Examples of general harm reduction advice include:

Source: https://psychonautwiki.org