I AM writing regarding the letters on March 16, "Your say on drugs".

I am one of the boys on the front page the previous week, Paul Sharrock.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and the article mentions information about drugs in the first place.

I am 31 years of age and when I first became involved with heroin at the age of 18 there was no information, apart from that it was illegal, so do not use it. In fact 70 per cent of people of all ages did not know the difference between pot or heroin.

I would like to point out that not all heroin addicts are on the dole or have a criminal record, I have been working since the day I left school. I have not worked for the past two years, this is not due to drug abuse but because I suffer from epilepsy, which does limit me to what I can and cannot do.

I have one conviction for theft which was when I was working in Hull and lost my wallet and I gave myself up when I got home.

There are a lot of decent people out there who have a heroin problem, one of our ex-Prime Minister's health consultants prescribed himself diamorphine on a daily basis.

I do not want sympathy and I do not use this as an excuse. I would suggest people educate themselves about drugs before making comments.

Mr P Sharrock

Chorley

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