WITH THE shocking news that Blackburn has the highest number of drugs arrests in the country so far this year comes a police pledge to get even tougher with dealers in death.

The crackdown also comes in the wake of last week's shocking revelations about the availability of heroin and other drugs in East Lancashire.

The inquest into the death of Langho teenager Gareth Noone, who died from an overdose of methadone and Temazepam, showed how youngsters can get drugs with ease.

Blackburn police have drawn up battle plans, targeting pubs and clubs in a bid to hammer home the message to pushers and users.

And police will also focus on second-hand dealers and car boot operators who knowingly accept stolen goods sold to feed drug habits.

Is this enough?

The whole drugs problem is clearly escalating out of all control. All over our area, there are complacent parents still blissfully ignorant of the true facts about drugs.

Both parents and young people need educating about the dangers of drugs and the crushing effect they can have on the lives of a whole family.

As Gareth's incredibly brave mother Niamh Astles had the courage to admit, he died of ignorance.

The drugs problem is no longer confined to seedy low lifes. it is penetrating all sections of our society.

And the sooner everyone wakes up to the fact. The sooner we can start tackling the problem effectively.

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