Concern about Ecstasy

From Neraca

The popularity of Ecstasy -- known among its users as Innex -- in the mass media, has truly brought us to our senses. The more so since several Army personnel were reportedly caught tripping in certain discotheques.

In my opinion, the real crux of the problem does not lie in the fact whether the offenders are in the Army or just plain civilians, but how to destroy addiction for a drug that results in hallucinations and other effects in our youngsters.

Arrests of drug pushers in the past have been rather disappointing (this is not to belittle the successful work of our police force). I mean that the penalties never balanced out against the proportion of the offenses. People who are later released, will almost certainly fall back in their former habit. They may be using a different modus operandi but they are selling the same stuff.

It's just possible that the offender, after their release, might get a promotion. For instance, if before a bust he was a heroin pusher, he might become a made-in-Holland Innex drug pusher after his encounter with the law.

The most worrisome part of all, however, is that these busts might just consist of small-time hoods (once again, this is not looking down upon the achievements of the police force), while the kingpin freely roams around recruiting other pushers to replace those netted by the police.

One more thing, we never know what really happens to the confiscated drugs after a bust. Has it really been destroyed? This is just to prevent people from becoming new drug pushers.

Name and address

known to Editor