THE following is an email from a mother, in response to the Tired Eye’s column on the Nospen dealing (The latest pain in the nose) published on May 18. Except for some typos, the email has been retained mostly in its original form. Only the author’s identity and email address has been withheld for in confidence and respect for the author. The email, while short, was written in a simple and straightforward manner. There was no need for complicated use of English to relay the frustrations of this mother. This is what it says:

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Article on Nose Pain — Thank Q

Dear Matalelah,

I want to thank you for the recent article you wrote in the Borneo Post.

My son is now 25 years old. He has been taking nospen since he was 14 (he told the psychiatrist). He has gone cuckoo. Sometimes (10%) he behaves ok. But most of the time 90% he behaves like a 5 year old. My family members are very sad and have resigned to our fate. We are taking one day at a time (esp. my husband & I).

I want the government to take action on those selling the stuff (my son bought his stuff from that place you mentioned ie in town, in front of the police station). I believe the government has the power to do it if they want to.

They can use ISA. Like they use on people whom they believe is causing harm to the nation.

You gave me hope by writing about it. I hope other children & youth are enlightened by your article & will stay away from that stuff

THANK YOU.

A Sad Mother

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Despite, the mother’s pain, Eye cannot help but admire how she and her family acknowledge that they have a problem with their son’s addiction to Nospen. Eye also, is glad in away, that they know that their son takes the drug and have tried to take measures that they think best, to help their son, like consulting a psychiatrist. Most parents are in the dark of their kids addictions and/or are in denial over it.

However, Eye believe that the REAL solution lies in the enforcement by authorities. If it happens right under their noses, why are such dealings still going on after all these years? The question arises — are certain parties being in cahoots with these dealers. How will there ever be a solution without proper enforcement? How will our anti-drug campaigns and drug rehab programmes work if there are those within the system who carry out their jobs half-heartedly?

Someone suggested that if the authorities do not take action soon, the public should take matters in their own hands and burn down the places where dealings take place. If Eye was the authority, Eye would start worrying, get priorities straight and take action if such suggestions have actually cropped up and are going around.

There is no point denying that the authorities are not aware of the dealings. The general public these days are not as naïve or submissive to ‘excuses’ they were before. The results of the last parliamentary elections say it all. The rakyat wants action. The rakyat wants things done.

Comments? Email matalelah@yahoo.co.uk