A related thought- and I recognize that it's a broad blanket indeed.

There is a young man in town who was a fiddle prodigy. By the time he was 11 he was amazing.

He is now 26 and is steeped in pot. Maybe heavier things - I personally have nothing against marijuana, although I suspect that going without drugs at all may be bettre. Kind of like those weight loss diets that tout low-fat, low-carb, low-calory treats. Wouldn't there be even less fat, carbs and fewer calories if you didn't indulge in them?)

Anyway he has not held a job, still lives at home and is frequently stoned out of his mind. I refuse to play music with him at those times, it's just too frustrating.

My point: The other day I saw him on the sidewalk with one of his "friends". And it struck me- one looked as scruffy as the other.