LETTER: Drug illusions

Sir: Indeed one should never "pretend that the use of hard drugs can only result in disaster" (leading article, 5 February). But neither should one pretend they ever benefit anyone.

All habitual drug-takers have fallen for a clever con trick. A drug attacks the senses, rendering the user unaware of the bad effects until it is wearing off. This creates the illusion that the drug provides pleasure. The truth is that the only reason anybody feels the need to take a drug is to relieve the symptoms that drug itself causes. Users develop increasing tolerance so they need more and more to create the same effect.

A great problem with all drugs is the misconception that they help some people and destroy others. Whether they kid themselves they are in control or not, occasional users are suffering from an earlier stage of the same disease as the "addict".

MAURICE RYAN

Belfast