Drugs are a scourge on modern society. The problem is worsening and nowhere is immune from their hideous effects.

Too often the picture people have of drug users is a wasted junkie in a filthy squat, with track marks on his arms and a needle hanging out of a vein. It is far from the truth and it is easier to count those who have never taken drugs than those who have. Class, good family, good homes, brains and youth are of no significance in determining who will be involved in drugs. The greater majority of parents are not even aware that their child is involved in the drugs scene. Primary school children are being targeted by drug dealers.

No-one sets out intending to become an addict and probably few who dip into the drugs scene become addicted. But you do not need to be an addict for major harm to have been done. I have dealt with too many, both as a prosecutor and as a defence agent, not to be aware of the damage and heartache involved.

The Klondyke case, now published in the book "White Gold", involved the importation of cocaine worth more than £100 million, with a profit margin of probably more than £80 million, and yet it did not even fill the back of a Transit van and was landed from an inflatable dingy. Crack cocaine is easily made in a kitchen and makes cocaine irresistibly addictive. It is now on our streets.

The 60’s drug LSD is making a comeback. It has the awful side effect of producing flashbacks at unpredictable times later. In other words the user can be going about his normal business when, without warning, the drug kicks in again and he is again under its influence. What if he is driving at the time?

And now we have "liquid ecstasy", a drug where there is no safe dosage. In this case "unsafe" means death. I am all too aware from my work of the prevalence of ecstasy in society today. A number of my readers will take it regularly and think nothing of it. To them I say please, please be aware it is not simply ecstasy in a liquid form. It is different and lethal.

Possession of drugs is a criminal offence and is routinely prosecuted. Supplying, or being concerned in the supply of, drugs is a criminal offence and will always be prosecuted. The criminal record does not show that "it was only a small bit of cannabis". It shows a conviction under the Misuse of Drugs Act and that alone, for example, will stop you from even holidaying in the USA. Nor is it thought to be an advantage to have on your CV when applying for a job.

I am not going to be able to stop drug abuse. The police are not going to be able to stop it either. Only if everyone becomes involved is there a chance. It affects each and every one of us. Burying our heads in the sand will not make it go away.

On a lighter note, a new family had just moved in and the son had friends up from the primary school to play. The motor bikes could be heard coming for some distance and then were seen to race by. The friend proudly announced "That’s my Daddy." On being asked by the newcomer’s father what his Daddy did, replied "He goes mental." The occupation of the newcomer’s father? Police Sergeant.