Opinion: We must talk about drugs

Journalist Merili Pärli recounts a distressing encounter with a mother who had lost her only child to drug addiction. This tragedy was compounded by the fact that the son's best friend, also from a respectable and educated background, had tragically died from addiction shortly before.

Both young men were described as having come from "proper, educated families" and were educated in Christian schools. Despite their seemingly stable upbringings, they both developed severe addictions, illustrating how drug dependency can affect individuals from any background.

The grieving mother, devastated and confused, sought to raise awareness by sharing her story publicly. However, her efforts were initially met with resistance from the parents of her son's friend. They feared being identified and facing social stigma, thus vetoing the publication of their son's story.

Pärli emphasizes that this societal silence is detrimental. She argues that by not openly discussing the dangers of drug use, young people may not fully grasp the rapid and devastating progression of addiction. The message is clear: drug use can quickly take control, leading to a potentially fatal "game over."