Editorial: Children are the victims

Our drug problems were highlighted by a major region-wide drug operation, reported by us on Saturday, during which many people were arrested and drugs including methamphetamine were found.

News of the operation coincided with the appalling case of two young children contaminated by methamphetamine through the actions of their P-dealing mother, Yasmin Rose Patten, who was jailed for two-and-half years on a raft of drugs offences.

These types of cases are, unfortunately, all too common. In this case scientific testing on a hair sample from one child revealed he had traces of methamphetamine in his system.

Police believe the other child, a baby girl who couldn't be tested because her hair was not long enough, would be even more contaminated. This is child abuse.

Has Patten always been so selfish she doesn't give a toss about her own kids, or was she once a decent person who got caught up in the destructive grip of methamphetamine?

It's unclear exactly how her children became contaminated, but the drug can taint household items it comes into contact with.

Children can also inhale P smoke if around adults smoking it.

Health problems can result, including learning and brain function problems and behavioural issues. Most children removed from P labs show evidence of exposure.

It is well documented that P is horrifically addictive and can quickly turn normal, hard-working people who love their families into financially ruined animals.

When the scourge of P first started gaining notoriety and publicity in this country police experts said it was going to be "the next big thing" on the country's drug scene, and it was going to be bad.

That was over a decade ago. Today, this insidious drug is embedded in our society.

Education, in the home and at school, is important, as are robust court sentences that reflect society's distaste for the drug.

Adults, even teenagers, get to choose whether they will try P. They get to make an informed choice most likely knowing they are opening a door to a dark, evil place.

Patten's kids didn't have a choice.