“Join my war on drugs” - rallying call from campaigning MP

The Don Valley MP said he had spoken to a constituent whose 40-year-old son had been “rocked” by the impact of drugs and pledged to “continue to push” the authorities to bring dealers and crime gangs to justice.

He added: “We can’t police our way out of this epidemic. I’m afraid there has to be some responsibility on all of us.

“Many of you ask what I can do about anti-social behaviour which is often caused by drugs. But I ask, what can you do?

“I’m afraid just blaming the authorities is not going to help.

“Apparently, half a million people have retired early since Covid.

“All that experience sat at home watching TV, when I know you could help.

“So please email me, come and make a difference. The kids need you, I need you and society needs you.

“You have so much to give, you have so much value.

“Don’t waste it watching the latest Netflix series that often glamorise the evil of drugs.”

Mr Fletcher said “better parenting” could also see a “decline” in drug use.

He said: “Parents, I need you to do everything you can to stay together and look out for the signs that things are not as they should be with your child.

“Get off your phones, don't go for the easy life, really get involved with, play with them, talk to them.

“Mine are grown-up now and although I did spend a lot of time with them, my mind was often elsewhere.”

Mr Fletcher also said broken families should not “weaponise” their children and children needed “good role models” and wanted drug users to think of the “impact” of their actions.

He added: “While ever you’re taking your little trip, some poor boy or girl is in a crime gang they can’t get out of and on a pathway to forced prostitution, probably an overdose or prison.

“Think about this in your designer suit shoving coke up your nose.

“It could be your daughter that’s in the supply chain. Now how does that feel?

“The only way we win this war, and I believe we can, is together.

“So to the police — do everything you can, to the council really help me with the youth clubs, to parents be the best you can be and to all my constituents if you can give a few hours a week, please do.

“I’m doing long hours and I will never stop, so please keep the politics out of this and let’s win this war on drugs.”