Is it all because of drugs?

[MulberryPeony]

Every day there seems to be a violent issue somewhere in my area. I was reading about the Mafia in France recently too. What is happening to modern society and is it all down to drugs? I’m of the Grange Hill ‘just say no’ generation and was terrified of drugs! It was clearly enough of an issue back then so what does it suddenly seem closer and affecting so many people now?

Awful lot of scaremongering, anti uk / europe threads popping up 🤔

It is mostly down to drugs, yes. Too many people are using cocaine, not to mention other drugs.

I’m just going by my local new paper and Facebook reports unfortunately.

Drugs are a significant contributor to anti social behaviours and organised crime, yes.

The prevalence of drugs being considered normal is widespread, lots of people of a range of social backgrounds commonly use cocaine and weed.

As well as modern synthetic drugs on the market which are absolutely lethal.

I believe it is drugs. There's apparently a turf war going on between two rival gangs in my city. There have been shootings, arson etc. I don't care if they kill each other but it must be terrifying if you live anywhere near them

I'd argue that yes while it is about drugs ultimately Its about money. Drugs make a hell of a lot of money.

I work in an antisocial behaviour team for a housing association.

Reports of drugs is our second biggest issue being reported. We get around 10-20 complaints about it PER DAY over 65,000 properties.

People mostly complain about the disgusting smell and how unwell and affected it makes them feel. But we also get the really serious cases of organised criminal gangs doing dealing, retaliatory attacks, arson, child abuse, cuckooing, sexual exploitation, assault on minors, threats to kill, violence, disorder, slavery etc etc. And those reports are far more regular than you might believe.

People thinks it's "just a bit of weed"......it's really REALLY not. It's an insidious criminal activity that costs lives.

There have always been organised crime groups who import and sell drugs.

I would argue that the worse living conditions are, the more vulnerable people are to becoming addicts and low level dealers which leads to street level violence.

When areas have low adequate social housing, low employment, no youth services etc - people are more likely to use for escapism. Or become dealers lured by the idea of selling to make money.

It’s sad.

I've never done drugs, I don't smoke and I drink very very rarely. I'm surprised why others find this difficult? I could go no alcohol altogether and I'd be fine.

@MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel What is your advice regarding neighbours smoking weed outside your house?

It's largely down to lack of police and overcrowded prisons.

There's very little deterrent for criminals and they seem to go to prison as a very last resort.

And even then not for long enough.

Not to sound like a dick, but violent crime (and actually all crime) was massively decreased across the UK as a whole over the past decades. That’s obviously not to say that it’s not worse in certain areas. However we live in a much safer world, statistically speaking, than we used to. I can see that the area I live in is not as rough as it was in the 1990s.

I honestly think part of the issue is the rolling news cycle and the prevalence of people sharing incessantly on local groups on social media. That’s not to downplay the very real issue of drugs etc in society, but we are now constantly served bad news via our devices.

I agree with this. We just see EVERYTHING now.

Join them 🤷🏽‍♀️

…I kid.

I don't believe crime is lower now than it used to be. REPORTED crime might be lower, but that's just because people don't bother reporting it anymore because they know nothing will happen.

It's county lines. The area I live in used to be fine but not now. Some friends of mine basically moved because they had very dodgy drug dealing neighbours and they didn't want to risk reporting them to the police. Scary stuff. It's out of control.

There are far more elements contributing to violent so iety than drugs.
MNetters always forget the role alcohol fills in relation to both DV and antisocial behaviour, probably because they partake.
Then there is the break-up of traditional families, lack of stable role models at home/school, the me,me,me attitude, the I want it now attitude, the attachment to phones/pads, the inability of anyone to answer a phone or open a door unless given notice in writing 2 weeks before, the expectation that we can have it all, yet being jealouse of those with 'more'...
So rather disingenuous to put it simply down to drugs

Great arguments for legalization

Its money and power

Yes I agree with this. Although widespread use of coke is a problem imo that the partygoers won’t admit to.

There seems to be less commitment everywhere - which leads to instability. Commitment is a good thing, not a dirty word. There seems less understanding of responsibilities to others. Services are overwhelmed, schools are forced down the Bootcamp model - children need to be nurtured somewhere in their lives. Those getting that at home will be fine but not everyone does.

It’s all gone a bit wrong everywhere imo. And meanwhile everyone is meant to be having it all. But even if you do work hard then owning a house may feel out of reach (& be out of reach in some areas). Working families may have to work so hard just to afford to live/eat they are time poor or pass each other like ships at night.

All the above reduces connection between friends, families and within communities. Would love to see government policies that prioritised connection and focused on values that actually matter.

You can report to police (use their online service) but honestly there is nothing they will be done. Police don't have the time or resources to go after smokers, and landlords don't have the powers to do so without police securing drug convictions.

So, I guess just close your windows.

You live a very sheltered and naive life.

The government really needs to crack down on the use of illegal drugs.

Edinburgh by any chance?

You have Mumsnet threads though saying that illegal drugs (bar heroin) are safe in moderation. MNers have taken them in their youth