Short answers, pulled from the story.
Recreational drug use is defined as the intake of one or more psychoactive drugs to induce an altered state of consciousness for pleasure or casual pastime. This process triggers an intoxicating effect that changes perception and mood within the human body.
LSD is a popular ergoline derivative first synthesized in 1938 by Albert Hofmann who failed to notice its psychedelic effects until 1943. It later played a central role in 1960s counter-culture before being banned in October 1968 by US President Lyndon B Johnson.
Alcohol is the most widely used recreational drug in Australia where 86.2% of people aged 12 years and over have consumed it at least once in their lifetime. Only 34.8% of Australians aged 12 years and over have used cannabis at least once in their lifetime.
In 1969 the FBI reported that between years 1966 and 1968 arrests for marijuana possession had increased by 98%. Despite acknowledgement that drug use was greatly growing among America's youth during late 1960s surveys suggested only as much as 4% of American population had ever smoked marijuana by 1969.
Modern researchers divide these substances into three broad categories: depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens. Depressants like alcohol create feelings of relaxation and calmness while stimulants such as caffeine or cocaine generate energy and alertness.