My most vivid memory from my 22-year policing career is standing next to a mother in an emergency ward, holding the hand of her lifeless son. He was lost in the most senseless way. I was trying my best to comfort her. Her response was to launch herself at me. She thumped my chest and continued whacking me while wailing. It was a gut-wrenching and primal scream I can still hear: “Bring back my son! Give me back my son!” That mother is a victim of a pointless death, and her situation is one I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

Unfortunately, while this scene is a reality for police, they are not alone in dealing with the deadly consequences of illegal drugs. Paramedics, doctors and nurses are also faced with the heavy burden of having to tell someone their loved one is dead or seriously injured after taking illegal drugs.

I’m well aware illegal drugs have been a major part of our society for a long time, and that the "war on drugs" is considered futile by some, but I cannot sit back and wipe my hands saying "this is all too hard".

Illegal drugs are, first and foremost, illegal. They are illegal because they are dangerous to your health and often to public safety. As the father of two teenagers, it scares the hell out of me how prolific drugs have become. It appears that every year, more and more people are dabbling or, worse still, becoming addicts. Never before have drugs been so readily available, at such an affordable price, and in so many different and crude concoctions. Given the immense pressure placed on youth today – from their peers through to social media – someone needs to stand up and say this is not the way forward.