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All drugs are a problem, its not specific to coccaine and there is always a ‘new’ substance to abuse - the latest trend. I also think it niave to believe that its restricted to poorer people - drugs are a problem for individuals and society in general however substance abuse needs financial support and whereas individuals that are more financially secure do not tend to becomme involved in the more ‘grubby, hands on’ aquisitive offending ie burglary, theft, robbery etc they do not tend to form part of the statistics and reports that are frequently produced letting us know we have a problem, but still dont know how to resolve it (pls note the cynisism lol. (These reports tend to be researched via prisons, police, medicial centres and recognised drug agencies etc).
I do believe that we should be targetting young children and educating them in the dangers but also in what is socially acceptable i.e a stronger work ethic and morals etc along with discipline and structure - we are too leniate and accepting, trying to treat the symptons rather than the cause, reducing the risk to the users rather than the risk on the innocent. Users choose to use and I believe in helping those that want to help themselves however users must take responsibilty AND accept the consequences. The implications of this are huge as there are so many other factors that need consideration however it seems that ‘governments’ and other bodies dont seem ready to start, prefering to keep trying the catch and convict method!

What you are talking about is part of a much wider issue. And I think you have covered that in your comments about generational poverty.
I don’t mean simply poverty in terms of wealth, but the broader kinds of poverty. Poverty of opportunity, self motivation, spirit and environment.

I think the social housing situation (certainly here in the UK) has alot to answer for. People have become ghettoised in areas which have not evolved from rooted communities. We have chaotic families which breed neglected, impoverished (in every sense) children, who are finding meaning and structure in thier lives; creating thier own communities if you lke….through gang membership.
These societies are intorducing children to drugs and are normalising crime and drugtaking and they exist in areas which are essentially cut-off from wider society.
The issues that already exist in these comunities are then further compounded by the introduction of drugs.

And so it goes on.

I personally feel, there is no quick fix solution.
If I was ‘in charge’ I would………

A) Get rid of social housing ghettos and intoduce mixed tenure housing.

B) Make sure ALL children have access to play facilities which are staffed by adults who can be positive role models and creative empowerers of young people.

C) Involve local people in regeneration of existing ommunities and employ the unemployed in those communities to do the work.

Cultural pride and shame is an incredibly motivating or demotivating factor.

D) Ban the media from glamourising drug use in any way.

Education will never work. A holistic approach is needed.

if a child is brought up in an environment where substance abuse, violence, crime, police involvement, prison etc is usual and familiar then the child will believe it is normal and acceptable and this is how things are done. There is no fear - it is accepted. Its about individuals changing, taking responsibility and improving their own environment albiet with a little help from the right people.

Examples must be set - examples of ‘good’ behaviour and knowing what is right and what is wrong however there must be something that is an ‘incentive’ not to make the wrong choice - which is harsher punishment as the incentive to make the right choice is clearly not enough

You will find that if you dont ‘do drugs’ or tolerate anyone in your house who does and make negative comments about drug taking your kid will pick up on it. I’m a single mum of a 15 yr old and have proudly told him all his life how I’ve never touched anything like that but also explained that there are situations where your friends can pressure you. So far so good - even his friends like the fact that I’m the only parent who wont let weed get smoked in my house - and these are all middle class boys