Young People and the Future, the 1998 report coming from the Bishops' consultation with young people, identified drug and alcohol abuse as being one of the major issues facing the younger generation. The drug problem is a highly complex one and there is no single or simple solution. For this reason governments and the community should be open to a range of strategies in attempting to assist victims and in setting up preventive measures. Spiritual values need to be offered to people who are searching for deeper meaning in life and those who are depressed, in such a way that they will not be tempted to take solace in drugs. Faith communities and individuals should appreciate what they have to offer to others in need.
Education is vitally important in the fight against illicit drug use.
Schools obviously have a key role in educating their students against drugs. The widespread acceptance of drug-taking by society must be challenged. The illicit drug problem needs to be viewed more as a health and sociological issue than simply as a matter of crime. Alternative measures to imprisonment should be welcomed, with a strong emphasis on rehabilitation. Greater opportunities for treatment should be provided for drug-affected prison inmates.