Suspended sentence sends wrong message

I HAVE worked with young people for the best part of 20 years. During this time, I have come across many issues that gave cause for worry and concern both from the point of view of individuals and society.

Perhaps the most alarming of these is the current increase of heroin on our streets.

The use of this drug is becoming more and more prevalent among young people and is having a negative impact on individuals, their families and their communities. In recent months, I have attended the funerals of three young people who have died as a result of heroin. With this in mind, I was horrified recently to read of a dealer/storeman receiving a suspended sentence for being in possession of heroin to the value of €145,000.