Don’t give up war on drugs

EVEN in a city which already has the unwanted tag of being Scotland’s drug deaths capital, the apparent surge in use of potentially lethal pills which can be bought for as little as £1 is deeply disturbing (see pages 2-5).

A Tele investigation has discovered that etizolam — also known as street Valium — was a factor in 17 fatalities in the space of just six months.

And, although it is now illegal to deal this substance, it clearly already has a firm foothold in the addict community, so putting this particular genie completely back in the bottle is likely to be nigh-on impossible.

It is accessible and cheap, and because those using it tend to be taking multiple other drugs as well, experts fear the death toll will simply continue to mount.

It would be understandable if those working with addicts started to feel a sense of hopelessness, and resigned themselves to the fact that the tide of misery and tragedy caused by drugs can’t be turned.

But they won’t — they will continue to strive to steer people towards rehabilitation and a better life and future for themselves and their families.

As well as police activity targeting the drug peddlers who prey on others’ frailties and are motivated by simple greed for cash, efforts to help people free themselves from the grip of addiction will continue unabated.

Disrupting the supply is one thing — reducing the demand is the real key to getting these dangerous substances off the streets of Dundee.

The war on drugs may never be fully won, but those fighting it will continue to try to win their own battles on a daily basis.

We can only hope they succeed more often than they fail.