Without tangible evidence, it may be unwise to suggest they indicate anything other than what they say.

The NHS Information Centre tells us that drug use has fallen in Calderdale in recent years for both adults and children. But that is certainly not the perception on the street.

Rightly or wrongly the public will draw its own conclusions from these statistics and many will believe they are a clear indication that the use of illegal drugs is continuing to grow.

There were 61 people admitted to Calderdale Royal Hospital in 2006/7 for drugs poisoning. At the same time the number of those taken into hospital with mental or behavioural problems caused by drugs, had almost doubled from eight to 14.

A spokeswoman for Calderdale Primary Care Trust said: "Hospital admissions as a result of drugs such as, poisoning by drugs, are clearly a concern for the individual and their family because of the risk to life."

In these times of economic hardship, they are also of concern to each and every one of us. A drain on NHS resources and money that could easily be spent in other, it might be argued, more deserving areas.

The depth of the drugs problem in Britain is often dangerously underplayed.

The caricature of the desperate, down-at-heel addict is no longer representitive.

Drugs affect a whole cross-section of society. Young and old, rich and poor, employed and unemployed.

Many initiatives to curb this menace have been launched, only to later founder.

Those who take drugs hold the key. But the question is how to persuade them that they are playing with their own lives.

Perhaps 61 admissions to hospital through drug overdoses might help!