Now, we hear about such matters on almost a daily basis.

It is like watching a landslide taking place, as a previously secure piece of a cliff slowly, but with increasing speed, falls into the foaming sea - taking with it to their doom all the people who were on it and are unable to find the energy to run to safety.

Yet again this week we have heard of innocent children finding discarded needles and other drug-related equipment. On this occasion it was in the vicinity of Priory Crescent, and also Glenogil Drive, but few parts of the town seem safe from this contamination.

And another bizarre habit was reported to us again on Monday - the practice of raking in the bins and rubbish bags of known drug addicts, in the hope of finding discarded drugs and needles.

The rubbish is taken from the site and then sifted and discarded in other parts of town. Not only is this unsightly, but it carries health risks, both from the point of view of vermin, and potentially contaminated items.

On Monday we were told of two people whose names and addresses were on envelopes found in a pile of rubbish some distance from the addresses.
"Names we've seen in the rubbish before - many times," said our informant.

The percentage of cases in both the Sheriff and District Courts where illegal drugs is a factor, is soaring.

On Tuesday, visiting Sheriff William Gallacher told one accused person that drug treatment and testing orders save lives - literally.

Drug addiction leads to serious illness and premature death - sometimes many years premature. And Sheriff Gallacher warned the man in the dock that he was taking that road.

Members of the public often blame Angus Council for not clearing up needles, and Tayside Police for not prosecuting enough people for possession of drugs.

But neither body is responsible for using the drugs equipment, nor for scattering it where it can do harm.

Responsibility is with those poor souls who have slipped into the mindless lethargy of the drug habit.

And Police can only act when they have enough information and evidence. This can be a frustratingly slow process.

But we, the 'clean' citizens of Angus can help by providing that information, whenever we see suspicious activity, whether it be a stream of visitors at someone's dwelling - or someone actually taking drugs.

We must never allow ourselves to slip into inertia, whereby it is always 'them' who should be taking action, and 'their' responsibility to provide information.

'They' are there to help us, and we are here to help 'them'.

If you have information about persons committing any type of drug offence, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Your call will be treated confidentially.

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