Dear Sir,

The continuing loss of young men and women to the social problems instigated by drugs use and gang activity in Bermuda means we either invest in a course to eliminate their availability, or we will all pay for it — and that price will be far higher than mere money.

The simple fact is that drugs of all kinds are available 24/7, and drug dealers and gang leaders do whatever they see fit to maintain control over their sales and distribution, including having your child sent to prison and/or murdered.

Why is that?

All drug dealers and all gang leaders go into the business knowing it brings destruction and death to families, businesses, churches and nations.

Why is that?

Drug dealers and gang leaders will exploit our sons and daughters to do their dirty work, but they will not exploit their own.

Why is that?

Selling and distributing drugs brings long prison sentences, but that is not, nor has it ever been a deterrent.

Why is that?

The fact of the matter:

• Drugs did not create drug dealers or gang leaders

• Drugs did not create those who finance drug dealers and gang leaders

• Drugs did not create drug users

• Drugs did not create money laundering

• Drugs did not create corruption

People did.

Well, Bermuda, you can run from the problems, but you cannot hide from the fact that there are those among us who do not care if we live or die economically, politically, morally or spiritually.

These ruthless individuals care more about the money they make from recruiting young people to sell and use drugs than they do about those who try to stop the destruction of our families generated by the drug dealers, gang leaders and those who profit from what they do.

Why is that?

MELVIN A. JOELL