Drugs crisis calls for emergency response

FOR years now, many parents have been telling me of their anguish when they realise a child has become a drug addict.

There is an immediate need to develop a range of programmes at local level that have the capacity to attract and retain drug-users in treatment. While treatment for those addicted must be central to any anti-drugs programme, it can be only a small part of the ultimate objective of achieving a drug-free society.

Having worked with drug addicts, I know from experience that it would take at least a generation to achieve this and, as has been pointed out many times, it would required massive State intervention — far greater than anything seen to date.