Essential message ignored

Sir,

I read with interest the articles in last week’s Banner concerning attitudes to reduce or prevent the stigma surrounding people who have personal issues which have led them to drug and/or alcohol addiction.

While I partly agree with Scottish Government’s intention to reduce stigma and encourage people to seek help without adverse judgement, I believe there is some essential message which is being ignored.

Sadly, we seem to be living in a society which is becoming increasingly scared to speak the truth while, as the Scottish Government admits, it is exposed to an increasing drug problem.

How can children understand the dangers of something when society is being silenced from criticising it?

When speaking to people with substance addiction, respect should be exercised, stigma should be reduced and help given; but none of that will be enough to prevent future generations from being exposed to the ever-increasing supply of dangerous substances being available on the streets.

Therefore, a balance must be allowed between having respect for people in need of help, and freedom of speech for parents and teachers to educate others on the scientifically proven facts that drugs lead to harmful addiction without having to worry about being criticised for choice of vocabulary.

Furthermore, I am concerned that Arran, having such a small population for which the economy relies so heavily on tourism, would suffer substantially with a relatively small drugs problem on the island.

Whatever help people may need today, the next generation must be given the truth, however offensive it may be to a minority.

Yours,

Ian Robertson,

Aberdeen.