There has been enormous concern for many years about the number of drug related deaths across all parts of Ireland and it is clear that the north west region has increasingly joined the other urban centres facing what amounts to a serious crisis.
A single weekend earlier this month saw three people die as a result of related issues between Derry and Strabane, where court evidence suggested that a further five individuals suffered drug linked cardiac arrests.
What was particularly disturbing was the evidence that the prescription drug pregabalin, which the health service says is normally used to treat epilepsy and anxiety, was responsible for some of the tragedies.
There can only be speculation about the circumstances in which pregabalin has come to be widely available beyond those who are entitled to access it but it is obvious that the consequences have been disastrous for all sections of the community.
The press and broadcasting interviews with Derry mother Pauline Duddy, who suffered the devastating loss of her 21 year old daughter Jasmin earlier this year were moving in every respect.
Pauline was plainly devoted to Jasmin, and endeavouring to help her with her addiction issues, until she received the kind of telephone call from a child which every parent dreads.
Jasmin set out her struggles graphically and, despite her best efforts and within a short period of time, Pauline found the police at her door in the early hours of the morning telling her that her beloved daughter had been found dead.
It is entirely understandable that Pauline Duddy wants much stronger sentences handed down to those who contributed in any way to the death of her daughter and countless other innocent victims,
As she said with considerable insight about the realities of day to day life in her home district of Galliagh in Derry: "You can get drugs quicker than you can get chocolate out of the shop".
However, the reality about the way in which the use of pregabalin is spreading illustrates the massive difficulties faced by the authorities.
Those who are actively dealing for enormous profit must be brought before the courts and sentenced appropriately but wider discussions are needed about the position of individuals who possess drugs purely for their own personal use.
While the criminal justice system has a key role to play, education, support and advice at all levels will be required to take us forward.
