Get on top of cocaine problem before it rips a hole in the fabric of Kerry society

SIR, Recent criminal court cases (notably in Tralee) have evidenced that cocaine use is more prevalent now in County Kerry than ever before. This is an alarming statistic and a disturbing fact.

Some defence counsel employ the argument that their clients suffer from emotional stress and continued depression and thus have turned to cocaine use as a self-remedy and self-medication. This is even more disturbing.

Mental health issues are not cured by snorting cocaine. They are, in fact, acerbated and eventually deeply multiplied.

Why are these troubled souls turning to cocaine? Because it’s there? Years ago cocaine wasn’t available in Kerry; now it is.

Why now? Last time I checked we didn’t grow the coco plant, from which cocaine is made. It derives mostly from South America and is, consequently, a foreign import to us that we don’t need, thanks very much.

The quick ‘ high’ that it produces is chemically induced and, sadly for the user, always temporary. It covers up whatever problems you are trying to block out. It never, ever, solves them. To get that ‘ high’ again, they must buy more cocaine, and on and on it goes Users run out of funds and take to robbing, thievery or prostitution – or all of them to get money for more cocaine.

Great for the dealer. Bad for the user and bad for all of us.

Cocaine does not fill a hole in anyone’s life; rather, it rips the hole wide open and into it fall more souls than just the user’s. Family, loved ones, boyfriends, girlfriends, business associates, jobs and children all get sucked in and before long society has a ripped and torn fabric that is beyond repair.

Ever see the heart of a cocaine addict at an autopsy? It makes the damage done to an alcoholic’s liver look like it has a little pimple on it. The dead user’s heart is unrecognisable. The hearts of those the user left behind are broken forever.

There is a gale force wind heading towards Kerry that looks like a little white line of fun. I have watched it devastate perfectly nice, beautiful places in New York City. Don’t let that happen here. Kerry is too special. Get on top of this dilemma now.

Sincerely, Tom Cahill, Ballinskelligs.