Independent views By Brendan Horan

Most people take drugs because they want to change something in their lives; they want a different reality to the world in which they live. Or it may be they want to fit in with the crowd, relieve boredom, experiment a little, rebel or escape and relax. They see drugs as a solution, yet the reality is the drugs become the problem.

Drugs are essentially poisons and the amount taken determines the effect. A small amount as a stimulant speeds you up. A large amount, as a sedative, slows you down; but large amounts can kill.

Fundamentally, they affect the mind and distort perception; this changes normal behaviours to those generally irrational, inappropriate and destructive. They block sensation and become addictive.

Drugs are also big money and the income from illegal drugs is huge and supports yet further criminal behaviour and negative outcomes.

Synthetic cannabinoids or what is referred to as legal drugs are chemical creations mimicking the effect of THC; one of the ingredients in cannabis. These chemicals are added to a mixture of dried plant matter. However, the concoction that follows in many cases ends with derivatives of LSD methamphetamine and other poisons. Many of these products have been banned in New Zealand – yet as soon as one product is banned, the chemists responsible for the chemical make-up simply change the chemical structure slightly.

The important distinction between legal drugs and illicit drugs is simply the chemical composition not the effect on the brain. So what we have in our community today are citizens who have legally altered their reality of the world; they are most likely irrational, displaying inappropriate and destructive behaviours and driving on our roads, and also deeply affected in their workplace.

The problem is societal and the solution rests solely with the greed of the producers of the product and those selling it.

The police are between a rock and a hard place to be able to do anything about it. Local councils, however, have under the Act some controls in respect to the products' sale.

I encourage local councillors to act in haste, to seriously limit the potential for these products; none of which have been tested or approved for human consumption. I fear for the children and young people of our city, and those with whom they mix. As a society, we have to say ‘No, enough is enough'.

It is encouraging to watch the growth of community concern and emerging rallies and protests throughout the country. As a society, we have to find a resolution and quickly.

If you would like to share your thoughts on this, or any other issues concerning you, please contact me. Facebook.com/Brendan.horan.336 twitter.com/brendanhoran or Phone Brendan on 574 0253.