Tough action the only way

Sir, – Drugs deaths in Scotland are appallingly common. Being an echo chamber of “progressive” liberalism, the Scottish Parliament cannot muster anything in response beyond decriminalisation, tackling dealers and support for addicts.

Utterly absent is the principle that illegal drug abuse is irresponsible and selfish. The amoral “harm reduction” approach focuses on relieving the human misery currently manifesting, but at the expense of maintaining the cycles that produce it.

It’s time to regain the understanding of the wider consequences of drug abuse. It’s not just a matter of personal risk assessment; abusers endanger the wider public, cause pain to their families, and massive cost to their unfortunate employers or, more likely, the state.

Not another penny of taxpayers’ cash should fund organisations peddling “we’re here to help you take drugs safely” messages – especially in schools.

Persuade people that the dangers of drugs can be managed and the deterrent against experimentation is diluted.

There is every justification to use the full power of the law to deter people from destroying their own lives and blighting society through such selfish irresponsibility.

We should protect young people by fiercely attacking supply chains, deterring personal possession, communicating the dangers, making it clear that illegal drugs are not an acceptable choice in Scotland, and, above all, insisting that it is wrong to endanger others while expecting them to foot the bill for one’s selfcentred pursuit of fleeting sensation. Richard Lucas. Scottish Family Party, Glasgow.