THE Editor does not usually print anonymous letters but he has made the decision to publish this one received from a former Blackburn man who once had a respectable job in a bank and a family which he lost through drugs.

He wrote the letter in response to our drugs campaign and here we print it in full.

I have recently read your articles written on May 19, 20, 21 and 22, about drugs. These were sent to me by my mother from Blackburn. I have lived in Blackburn all my life and am separated from my wife and two children (who still live in Blackburn).

I became involved in drugs when I was 16 years old and at this time never knew much about them.

The first drug I took was speed (amphetamine) which led to me losing my job at a bank, due to health problems, plus with not sleeping much I made lots of mistakes which I would not have normally done (ie, putting £100 in someone's account instead of £10 or maybe £10 instead of £100).

After losing my job and being thrown out of home, I then got a flat at Mill Hill and was introduced to heroin. Heroin is not just a drug, it takes over your life and lifestyle. It changes you into being an evil and uncaring person. By this I mean you just aren't bothered who you hurt or steal from as long as you get your gear. Everyone suffers who cares about you, family, friends, wife (husband) and kids. In the end you are only taking smack to be normal, to be able to walk, function properly, gain in confidence, which you definitely don't have without it.

The fun is soon lost and hitting rock bottom comes soon, usually sooner than you think. I've stolen from family, friends, my wife and obviously members of the public, shops, burglaries. I've been to prison for burglary and can only say how much I regret the things I've done to get smack.

I am now getting help in a rehabilitation centre and have been clear of heroin for four months. This is the best move I have ever made and already feel I have changed into a better person who will enjoy a drug free life when I leave in six months time.

I am now 24 years old and my marriage has broken down. I still see my kids (one boy, one girl) and can now spend what I call quality time with them, drug free and healthy. I hope you appreciate me writing and whether you publish is entirely your decision.

My name has been left out for my family's sake, who have had enough things to put up with over the years.

The last thing I'd like to say is that if anyone out there is thinking of taking drugs or has been offered drugs, please think carefully. Drugs is not the nice, happy life portrayed by users, it is an avoidance of proper life, which can take over your entire life, which then only brings you unhappiness, prison, and sometimes death.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.