Drug treatment - Education key to drugs problem

IT is disturbing to note that the number of people seeking treatment for cocaine and cannabis use has risen in Ireland.

This depressing scenario is depicted in the latest figures from the European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction.

On a somewhat brighter note, however, the report shows that Ireland is close to the middle of the EU range in relation to the use of drugs.

But that is poor consolation to the victims of the drug culture, or their families who have to bear the burden of an addiction that can destroy the lives it touches.

In line with the rest of Europe, drug use among young Irish people has risen steadily over the past decade.

It is essential to maintain the fight against drugs, especially at school level where young people are vulnerable to evil criminals who put lives at risk for greed.