Editorial: Drugs must be stamped out

The issue of drugs in our community is polarising and never far from the media glare.
This week is no exception. On the front page of yesterday's Bay of Plenty Times were details of a series of police raids targeting organised criminals in the Bay this week.
Police, supported by other enforcement agencies, swooped on 32 properties, arrested 25 people and seized major quantities of drugs such as P, cannabis and magic mushrooms, as well as guns.
Worryingly, they found a military-style semi-automatic in the possession of a criminal with no firearms licence.
It was at least the ninth major drugs raid in the Bay in the past year and, along with latest crime statistics, demonstrates police are keeping the pressure on drug criminals.
And so they should.
Illegal drugs are a curse and cause so much damage across many parts of society.
These include health problems and the undeniable link with crime. They give people a reason to commit crime and hurt others in an effort to get their fix or make money.
There will always be those who argue cannabis, at the least, should be decriminalised and the very fact such drugs are illegal is what drives gang crime in the first place. But decriminalising cannabis for minor personal use will not stop the problems it causes.
Others also argue alcohol causes more damage than cannabis.
There is no denying alcohol is a huge factor when it comes to health and crime. One only has to read the columns of this paper or watch the police television reality shows to see evidence of this.
But alcohol has been such an ingrained part of our social fabric for years it would be next to impossible for any government to ban it and stay in power.
Thousands use it responsibly and tightening its use for young people and those who use it irresponsibly is a more sensible tactic.
None of these arguments is a reason to open the floodgates on cannabis and add to the problems that already exist. Decriminalisation would only create more misery and cost the country more.
The Law Commission has been using its influence to push for reform.
It wants cannabis to be legal for medicinal purposes and wants to divert minor drug offenders through a cautioning system instead of the courts.
This organisation would be better to spend its time working out how to cut crime rather than trying to relax the country's laws.
Another related issue is legal highs such as Kronic, which have also been in the headlines and should be banned.
Yesterday's edition reported drug tests for it are now available for workplace use.
There can be no doubt drugs will remain in the headlines. The lobby group Norml, which promotes drug-law reform, has vowed to make it an election issue.
It's difficult to take this group seriously.
The National Government has already said it opposes drug reform.
It must stick to its guns.
If anything, drug laws should be tightened.