At Random with Martin Laing

Keep up the fight

Drugs. It is a simple, short word but it describes a hugely complex scenario that encompasses crime, addiction, violence, inhumanity, grief, family breakdown and more.

Earlier this year I praised a major police initiative in Oban to tackle the scourge. I wrote in February: “There are few issues that make my blood boil, but drug dealing is at the top of the list.”

So I was delighted that a dealer from our area - Douglas Haggart, 22, of Bonawe - has been jailed for six months for dealing Class A narcotics. Excellent news. However, contemplation of the story shows Haggart is also a victim, having been lured into forming his own addiction, then dealing to feed the habit.

I hope earnestly prison can help to reform him.

I also wrote back in February: “Drug dealers and their toxic wares cause untold misery and harm, not only to the users. Families and friends of users also suffer appallingly. These dealers are scum.”

I stand behind those words still. They were written in response to a campaign headed by Inspector Lee Page to disrupt the drugs supply into Oban and target those who profit from this appalling trade.

This concern was thrown into even sharper focus last week by a separate story which related Councillor Julie McKenzie’s assertion at a committee meeting that users of Class A drugs in Oban are now as young as 11.

She was told, however, by Chief Superintendent Lynn Ratcliff that local officers have had “great success” in engaging with our young people in an education and prevention initiative.

I applaud the police effort and hope it continues to stop youngsters from trying drugs. I have no idea about what or how many successes the local police have had, but I repeat my mantra: let us all support the police effort and drive these parasites from our communities and into jail.

What do you think? Send your comments to editor@obantimes.co.uk