Well I never BarryW..you are supporting the Labour Governments position here!?
The fact of the matter is probably more likely that its the few drug addicts that give general mild use a bad name. Many people seem to be taking these substances without much harm but as with alcohol, some people go toooo far and tar the rest of it with a bad brush.
Its the same as drinkers isnt it. Many of us like a beer or a glass of wine, but if you take it to the level where you become a p*sshead, its clearly taking it way too far. Some people will always do this, whether with drink or drugs. More people have easy access to drink so the situation is worse there I would suggest.