Madam, - Vincent Browne (Opinion, December 12th) suggests that we should prioritise reducing the 5,400 premature deaths due annually to poverty over reducing the 20 or so premature deaths due to cocaine abuse. This is to misunderstand the effect of the illegal drug problem on society.
Illegal drug use, including that of cocaine, is often a symptom of poverty. However, once illegal drugs infest deprived communities they then become a major cause of poverty, consuming money that is already in short supply. Due to the dependency created by drugs it then becomes more difficult for these communities, once infested, to break out of the cycle of poverty and deprivation.
Due to its falling price cocaine has now become a classless drug and a principal cause of drug-related poverty. The recent deaths of three young people following their consumption of the drug has heightened awareness of the cocaine problem to the point where Irish society is beginning to admit it has a cocaine problem. If this is so, we may be on the way to tackling effectively the abuse of cocaine.
If this comes to pass, not only will the number of premature
deaths due to cocaine abuse drop, but the levels of poverty and
deprivation it causes will also reduce. This in turn should
contribute to a reduction in the 5,400 premature deaths caused by
poverty. - Yours, etc,
ROBERT HALLIGAN,
Castledermot,
Co Kildare.
Madam, - Your Editorial of December 8th succinctly articulated the responsibility of the consumer of cocaine in contributing to its violent production and distribution.
One could view this problem as a microcosm of Western consumption habits and unethical international trade at large.
Our consumption of oil and its by-products are destroying the earth's biodiversity. To what extent is the petrochemical industry responsible for this destruction? To what extent is the consumer of oil responsible for it? Should we make petrochemical products illegal?
It is estimated that every year over €1 trillion is spent on arms worldwide. The main consumers are Western states. Are they responsible for the 500,000 deaths occurring through small arms conflict every year? Or are the producers and distributors of these arms responsible? Should this military industrial complex be illegal?
Last Christmas Irish consumers spent €4 billion on consumer goods. How many of these goods were ethically produced? To what extent are Irish consumers responsible for the unethical production and distribution of such goods? Should goods that are unethically produced be illegal?
Attributing blame for actions that involve a whole chain of producers and distributors is a difficult task. There is no strict moral code that can guide us in deciding who is responsible and who should be held to account.
However, there is one thing that no one can deny: it is easier to deal with the problems associated with a consumer good when its production and distribution are legal, regulated, transparent and accountable. Therefore is it not time for an open debate about the merits of legalising all drugs?
Firstly, it would remove the criminal aspect of distributing
drugs. Secondly, strict quality assurance would help "clean up" the
drug. Thirdly, it would be easier gradually to decrease its
consumption with the intention of removing it all together. -
Yours, etc,
AIDAN REGAN,
Glenbeigh Road,
Cabra,
Dublin 7.
A Chara, - Whatever about the extent of use of the drug itself, media reporting of cocaine abuse is certainly reaching "epidemic" proportions.
Yet despite the massive publicity about its dangers, its obvious links to serious violent crime throughout the country and recent reports of deaths directly attributable to its use, its popularity among otherwise intelligent and discerning young professionals is actually on the increase.
Given all these circumstances, exactly what sort of message did
the Taoiseach hope to convey by sending an official representative
to the funeral of one of the drug's most outspoken advocates? - Is
mise,
DAVID CARROLL,
Castle Gate,
Dublin 2.