Remember, wrote would do one on drugs, having met teens last year telling me insider stories.

Last night on early-evening walkabout invited to "share a spliff" by a young tradesman in building work. Makes me chuckle that am no longer up for it. Nor pubs, ...or, local church meetings (as happs). Nevertheless had a big chat, that apart from his personal confessions and dilemmas, continues to re-re-re-confirm about the most popular topic to bring up in conversation with others: The news not reported is that drugs are "everywhere". Hyperboles, yep... but the growth in takers is unprecedented. Shocking, or should be?

"Bang on it" was the teens summery post-2020/21, met a couple more last night and they agree with my research. Those who respond they say ...know it's the case, like to reference previous years and their experience. There's the comparison; it's since 2020, and the escalation in 2022/3.

Noticed it last year in Glasgow and alerted by the two or three; "fancy a line, mate?" offers. By London in January 2023 had talked across ages, wages and backgrounds. Having already surveyed Suffolk a bit —all agree the supposed-respectable professions to money-pushers in the city, to crack cocaine seen out and brazen and smoked in London. The take-up is colossal.

Add to this the prescribed, for alleged or otherwise, 'depression' etc. substances. Not into discerning specific needs but meet wrecked and ragged users. If it's the solution, the problems remain looking evident and painful.

Find those said-diagnosed often bin their meds. and lie to the docs to get their support in what else they need.

Any good news?

The 15-20s seem well aware of the pitfalls and shortcomings. After the last three years and form of imprisonment are now in a world that has lost its hinges and is do-ally loony-ville. Why not deal with and get times of chemical relief or distraction?

Some I talk with are doing all they can not to take anything but it's a challenge and tricky struggle.

The young ones give me hope, (that, again). They have that youthful zip and zing about them. There's light and am appreciated and get genuine attention. They spark up my compassion and encouragement flows both ways.

On a fishing boat last year a Romanian answered my enquiry about his countrymen as workers. He said they were alright but when they got drunk liked to fight. Asked about boys from Scotland? "No good, no good". Why I asked. He explained first-time on they'd go on leave and he bent his head down and mimicked snorting cocaine.

It's all open and out there. In particular those in manual trades and hospitality admit the scale.

Met a worker coming to London with a team fitting air conditioning in offices and like. Asked was it about "half his lot on the gear?" He replied, "you having a laugh mate, ninety percent and there'll suck ya..., for a rock, and use on the job".

Get the low down, it's quite the 2023 shift in society and down to two factors; the prison and now-released trauma, and ...where's the hope, and stability ahead?

The truth and scoop is there are agencies within a state-complicit framework who oversee and sometimes control the supply.

As financial times get tighter the cost in health due to supplies to individuals being unsustainable is going to be immense. As for the police, it's the bulk of their work since welfare checking during 2020/1 isn't quite as prevalent.

Can fully understand the rise in booze, pills, powder and the prescribed chemicals but am seeing healthy-ish realisation, getting to many under 20s, which is where my attention is at.

Do I write on Gary Webb through to New Hampshire (USA) today? Nope. One hour and'll do.