And that's why I've objected so strongly to the stuff Al's thrown around here - his belief that he's the only open-minded one who recognises facts, and that everyone else, especially me, is closed-minded and living in a dream world. Whereas the overwhelming evidence is quite the reverse.

For the record, my eldest son has been a heroin-addict for over twenty years and is still on methadone. His own life has been wrecked by it, and the lives of his mother, brother, and I have been a living hell.

In addition, I worked with young people from a 'tough' estate and wider for twelve years, including a significant number of substance-abusers, sexual-abuse victims, you name it, providing distraction, counselling, and friendship in a 'safe' environment.

I believe I'm as qualified as anyone here to understand the nature and causes of drug-addiction.

"Perhaps we'd be better off eschewing contact with each other"

No 'perhaps' about it - for once, I completely agree.