The video of three Lesa officials making use of cocaine in their official car, while on duty, expectedly made the rounds a few days back. The outrageous behaviour of the individuals however didn't only provide the perfect content for yet another candidly filmed clip that spread like wildfire on a lazy afternoon. It also shed a blindingly bright light on a shocking predicament that has captured our country - that of careless and casual use of hard drugs.

We have known about the problem of drug abuse for a while now. We know that many people choose to resort to illicit substances on a fairly regular basis. However, whereas in the past, hard drugs were used at parties, or special social occasions like the village festa, or weddings (as absurd as that may sound), today it seems that drugs like cocaine have become daily habits, forming part of the most mundane routines.

Naturally I am not basing this argument on a sole video that went viral last week. Experts in the field have been sounding the alarm on this matter for many years. It appears that cocaine and other hard drugs have become part of daily life for a substantial and growing cohort in our society, and yet, very little seems to be done about it.

It appears that the use of cocaine is becoming normalised among many strata of society. From the more affluent to the less so, cocaine appears to affect all equally, capturing victims powerfully.

Until recently, in fact, cocaine was seen as the drug of the professional classes, however it appears that its use today has spread across all of society. Of course, the normalisation of such harmful behaviour is absolutely shocking. A few billboards in quick reaction to the shocking situation will not go very far to reverse a powerful trend that appears to be taking hold quite powerfully.

Drug use, of all types and kinds remains a deeply and worryingly harmful exercise. Unfortunately, Government has been sending a cocktail of mixed messages about drug use, especially to the younger generation.

When it legislated to decriminalise the use of marijuana, a strong message was sent - marijuana is fine! While I will never understand the reasoning behind this move, the bottom-line has meant that many young people today make casual use of marijuana on a daily basis. The reasoning is rather easy to follow actually. If it is legal, why shouldn't I make use of it?

The police force, on the other hand, has officially lost all hope to control it, while little-more-than pubescent children smoke their lungs away unperturbed.

So, if marijuana is so normal now, what will the kids use on special occasions? In our younger days, there were some of us who might have shared a joint on a special occasion, what will GenZ share?

Unfortunately, I feel that there is a certain feeling of defeat in the air when dealing with drugs. There is a certain attitude that permeates the discourse, that is not conducive to positive action.

Drugs remain a powerful toxin that poisons society. If it is not the chemical and biological damage that it unleashes on its victims, it often results in psychosomatic trauma, not to mention the ancillary effects like criminal activity, elevated risk of poverty, the breakdown of social links and a long litany of other social problems.

We cannot stand idly as drugs become increasingly normalised. We must stand up and invest heavily in the fight against them. Malta is an island, so logically our borders must be slightly easier to protect and control. If we are not ready to take action now, our children will pay the price.

Alexander Mangion is deputy mayor of Attard