The failure for anti-drug campaigns and information to reach youth was made clear by a university poll released this week.

The survey showed almost three-quarters of respondents, aged between 16 and 25, believed that taking drugs was a pleasant activity.

Half of those surveyed believed that taking drugs was fun.

Clearly many of these young people have not seen the impacts of drug psychosis and addiction because perception does not match reality.

There is no doubting the significant investment that government and other organisations contribute towards the treatment of drug abuse and catching the drug smugglers and traffickers.

The debate surrounding the medicinal use of drugs has fuelled the impetus for legalising less harmful drugs such as cannabis and, while a significant proportion of people think it’s pleasant and cool to use drugs it will be difficult for the law to contain the indulgence.

Billions of dollars are to be gained worldwide from the manufacture and trafficking of illicit drugs. There’s always a ready market, and a ready argument for drug law reform.

The argument follows that serious crime would be avoided if some drugs were legalised. After all, what’s the difference between cannabis and tobacco? What’s the difference between an ecstasy tablet and a few joints and a few shots of vodka?

Ask the drug addicts.

THE humanitarian mission in the Middle East to protect civilians from marauding extremists is well supported.

We cannot stand by while men, women and children are intentionally slaughtered. At the same time speculation that Australia may join the US in the combat offensive against the Islamic State extremists (ISIL) will require a public debate in order to grasp the ramifications.

Does an air war ultimately become another ground war? Are there Australian special forces already in Iraq guiding air attacks, or is this a possibility? 

These are questions the government should answer if it wants widespread community support.