Madam – I normally read stories on the Advertiser site and I recently read about the police denying there is a drug problem in this town.
I had to think about that before deciding to write to the paper, because this touched me personally.
A few years ago, a close family member started taking drugs. My family member was well-adjusted and had a good job and was in a stable relationship, so to hear about the drug issue was not only disturbing, but also deeply traumatising for our entire family.
You would think that being brought up in a good home with a solid foundation, by two loving parents who tried their best to instil correct morals and values, would mean a person could have the willpower to say no.
But my family member had a group of friends who took drugs when they went out – maybe it was because they thought it was ‘cool’ or they were just bored, I don’t really know. Whatever the case, my family member started smoking marijuana at every opportunity; before work, at lunch time et cetera.
We spoke about it several times and I was assured it was not an addiction, just something they did when stressed or just for fun. What pained me was the ease at which they could acquire these drugs. When I asked, I was told a certain car guard at a certain shopping mall was their supplier, or a friend of a friend and so on.
It was difficult to actually pin down where the drugs were being supplied from, but we managed to find out. And it was not a car guard or some dodgy character at a bar. Instead, it was another teenager from a well-known and very well respected family, who was bored and wanted something interesting to do.
This teen was also part of the ‘in-crowd’ and kept the group well supplied. When confronted, and even when the police were called and drugs found, this teen simply said sorry and that was that.
What I want people to know, is that even though my family member has now moved on from that dark past, it was only through the intervention and tenacity of those who loved them, they managed to find the strength to say no and stop hanging around with the bad influences.
What about those that don’t have families who notice? Or care? How can the police, the very people who are mandated to serve and protect, turn a blind eye to what is so obviously a problem?
I am so disappointed in the lacklustre attitude law enforcement has towards drug abuse. When they want recognition they go on marches and send pretty words to the paper, but when it’s time to actually make a difference, they turn around and say there is no problem.
Drugs could have potentially ruined my family. It is ruining the lives of countless families in this town. How dare the police marginalise this? How dare they say there is no problem? How can they be so irresponsible?
If we, as normal community members with no professional resources, could track down drug suppliers, what is the police’s excuse? Too lazy? They just don’t care? Or they can’t be bothered? Either way, shame on you.
Twisted truths
