<unk>  maximizes the benefits and reduces the risk of negative impact psychoactive<unk> s cause on the lives of the<unk> r. For illegal psychoactive<unk> s that are not diverted prescription controlled substances, some critics believe that illegal recreational<unk>  is inherently irresponsible, due to the unpredictable and unmonitored strength and purity of the<unk> s and the risks of addiction, infection, and other side effects. Nevertheless, harm-reduction advocates claim that the<unk> r can be<unk>  by employing the same general principles applicable to the<unk>  of alcohol: avoiding hazardous situations, excessive doses, and hazardous combinations of<unk> s; avoiding injection; and not using<unk> s at the same time as activities that may be unsafe without a sober state.<unk> <unk>  can be thought of as an activity that is potentially beneficial but also risky, analogous to skiing, skydiving, surfing, or mountain climbing, the risks of which can be minimized by using caution and common sense. These advocates also point out that government action (or inaction) makes<unk>  more difficult, such as by making<unk> s of known purity and strength unavailable. Principles Duncan and Gold argue that to<unk>  controlled and other<unk> s<unk> , a person must adhere to a list of principles. They and others argue that<unk> <unk> rs ought to proceed by: * understanding and educating oneself on the effects, risks, side effects and legal status of the<unk>  they are taking * measuring accurate dosages, and take other precautions to reduce the risk of overdose when taking<unk> s where an overdose is possible * taking a small dose first when taking a new<unk>  ("start low and go slow") * if possible,<unk>  checking all substances before<unk>  to determine their purity and strength * attempting to gain the most pure and high-quality<unk> s laced with no cutting agent at best such as by buying on darknet markets * using<unk> s only in relaxed and<unk>  social situations as altered consciousness can be inappropriate in potentially dangerous or unknown settings * avoiding driving, operating heavy machinery, or otherwise situate themselves directly or indirectly<unk>  for the safety or care of another person while intoxicated and discouraging persons from operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated * having a trip sitter (or "copilot") when taking hallucinogenic<unk> s * using recreational<unk> s in moderation, setting reasonable limits on the consumption and not allowing<unk> <unk>  to overshadow other aspects of their life (i.e. financial and social responsibilities) * taking the smallest dose of a recreational<unk>  that will produce the desired effects * avoiding mixing or combining<unk> s, especially unknown<unk> s and<unk> s with known dangerous interactions * not trusting someone else with the responsibility for your health and safety * knowing basic first-aid techniques and taking responsibility for applying them appropriately in cases of<unk>  emergencies * avoiding the injection of<unk> s * recognizing that one's own<unk> -taking behavior and attitudes in the presence of others will influence others, especially children * abstaining from<unk> <unk>  when inappropriate for reasons of health and physical fitness such as during pregnancy * respecting an individual's decision concerning<unk> <unk>  * providing alternatives of acceptable social-recreational behaviors within a group for others and avoiding<unk> <unk>  to become the only motivation or focus of the social situation * understanding the individuality of response * being aware of the complex influences of set and setting on psychoactive<unk>  experiences and acting accordingly Some proposed ethical guidelines include: * never tricking or trying to persuade anyone to<unk>  a<unk>  * being morally conscious of the source of the<unk> s that a person is using Duncan and Gold suggested that<unk>  involves responsibility in three areas: situational responsibilities, health responsibilities, and safety-related responsibilities. Among situational responsibilities they included concerns over the possible situations in which<unk> s might be<unk> d legally. This includes the avoidance of hazardous situations; not using when alone; nor using due to coercion or when the<unk>  of<unk> s itself is the sole reason for<unk> . Health responsibilities include: avoidance of excessive doses or hazardous combinations of<unk> s; awareness of possible health consequences of<unk> <unk> ; avoiding<unk> -using behaviors that can potentially lead to addiction; and not using a<unk>  recreationally during periods of excessive stress. Safety-related responsibilities include: using the smallest dose necessary to achieve the desired effects; using only in relaxed settings with supportive companions; avoiding the<unk>  of<unk> s by injection; and not using<unk> s while performing complex tasks or those where the<unk>  might impair one's ability to function safely.<unk>  is emphasized as a primary prevention technique in harm-reduction<unk>  policies. Harm-reduction policies were popularized in the late 1980s although they began in the 1970s counter-culture where cartoons were distributed to<unk> rs explaining<unk>  and consequences of irresponsible<unk> <unk> .
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