JURIES will be out for decades on the contentious issue of legalising drugs (SA Should drugs be legalised? Jan 25). Can anyone really envisage a government radical enough to introduce decriminalisation?

Future generations of drug-takers might be saved from oblivion if they had happier lives. Everyone carries some unmet physical/psychological need from childhood. The child is the father of the man and it is difficult to change patterns of behaviour.

For some the physical/psychological pain is intolerable and they choose to block this out with drugs which are a poor substitute for getting well.

I would highlight the important roles of education and peer pressure in the current war against drugs.

Rebellious teenagers are often vulnerable and in need of support and understanding.

Everyone can benefit from authoritative input. Appropriate interventions between the ages of five and 16 years can alleviate some suffering. Ultimately it will take up to three generations to work through and turn around a drug culture which has become so destructive and pervasive in society. Here there is no quick fix.

N E GOUGH Eldene, Swindon