We must ask why it is necessary for young people to take drugs. Often a young person who seems to have everything – a job, a marriage, a career and prospects – turns to drugs. When we compare such a life with the deprivation that existed years ago, why is it that they feel the need to use drugs to enhance their lives for a matter of minutes rather than years? There are issues involved, such as the lack of respect for authority, which must be examined. Perhaps there are several reasons for this lack of respect. Groups such as religious orders, the church, the Garda, politicians, etc., are under the spotlight and there appears to be less respect for them. This lack of respect permeates society and young people tend to look elsewhere for role models. Entertainment icons often become their role models. Sadly, when these role models make public confessions, which happens often, they state that they are addicted to drugs. It is these people who are the role models for our youth.