I lost a brother 15 years ago to drug and alcohol abuse, plus I have worked in Courts and Prisons, and seen the direct result of the damage done by addicts ..... to themselves, to their families, to society in general. I have seen the hard work that goes into attempting to rehabilitate, I have seen many success stories but sadly many more failures. So now I do admit to struggling to have sympathy for addicts. Everyone is educated now to drug and alcohol dangers, but so many still choose to go down that road instead of looking for alternative help. But that at times is trying to apply logic where there is none. I don’t have any answers, but do feel that penalties should be harsher... let’s face it, whatever society is doing, it is not working. I just have made sure that my kids and grandkids were 100% aware of all the horrors that I have witnessed over the years ... human beings reduced to rabid dogs, so desperate for the next fix. It’s heartbreaking and I have seen parents breaking their hearts not knowing where to turn, others just have to turn their backs on their kids, not being able to cope any more. Not many addicts take responsibility for their actions either, there is always something or someone else to blame .... it’s a tragic situation for everyone who has had to deal with this in their lives.