My friend could have probably gotten us whatever we wanted. He was really into it and for many years, decades. And lost out on life — he was really smart and could have become an engineer or scientist. Instead, he used his smarts to deal and use drugs. A “loser” like my son's friends. It was probably lucrative for him. He always seem to have a lot of money. So there is that. :)
I am thankful that my son resisted the temptation otherwise he'd probably be like his friends. I don't know if he even tried it but I know that he was really angry the last time he saw his friend. He left his friend stoned in the corner. That was the last time he saw or talked with his friend.
Anyway, our son has a masters in EE and is working in the Bay Area. He worked hard for it and he earned it. And he has lots of potential in his future. We are blessed.
Great to hear about your son. Sounds like he has his head screwed on properly and will be fine. You should be proud of yourselves along with him.
One of my friends in High School only made it to 25 before he crashed and died. Drugs weren’t the issue, but he indulged in too many things that he shouldn’t have and we couldn’t keep him out of harms way forever. My other friends have all excelled and seem to be doing very well all these decades later.
I became a Field Engineer and have had an honest, hard working career now for over 40 years, even though I indulge daily (on my free time, of course, and never during work hours).