Living in space

Over the years I have told people about my dream to build a orbital station where people can live and work, where humanity can begin to work toward a future that is more certain, more productive, and more beneficial to all of humanity and all of life.

Many have said things like, "Put me on that list!", and "Let me know when it's ready. I am there!" As much as I have put into designing the station, and the transport system necessary to build it, there is one thing I had not thought about... until recently.

I can sum it up with one question. How many who say they want to go there and do that would continue to feel that way if they knew they would be required to stop smoking, stop drinking, and stop using drugs in order to "go there and do that"? You see, in an enclosed environment like a space station habitat, the prospect for disaster is many times greater than it is here on the planet.

Smoking anything cannot be allowed because it would overtax the scrubber systems that keep the air breathable. Drinking cannot be allowed because of the problems that we all know come with it. We cannot afford the risk of someone being drunk damaging the station to the point that loss of atmospheric pressure jeopardizes everyone and every living thing aboard. The only drugs that could be allowed would be those used for immediate medical healing purposes. Anyone with long-term illness would not be able to live aboard the station, as prolonged care is something better handled on the planet, not aboard a habitat.

With smoking, drinking and drug use being as rampant and widespread world-wide as it is, the prospects of actually getting this station built and operational is dwindling. With the current attitude of people towards alcohol, nicotine, THC and other drug compounds, it seems apparent to me that the majority will choose to stay planet-side rather than give up their chosen poison to go off-planet.

For this reason, I have elected to ask everyone who reads this post to comment and state your opinion of the stance I am taking. I need to know more from the majority before deciding on whether or not to continue with pursuing my dream.