WE ARE increasingly being confronted with the scourge of drugs on society.

The tragedy of talented actors and musicians that overdose generates a feeling of sad loss and shock as we look at a person who has achieved more success than most can imagine and are loved and we contemplate the waste of life.

The scandal of football heroes allegedly at the centre of a drugs syndicate leaves us with a feeling of betrayal as we as a society hoist these people up as mentors for our children.

Bali Nine drug smugglers Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan facing the death penalty in Indonesia has generated much sympathy as we have seen two people who have obviously gone through some rehabilitation and turned their lives around while serving their time in jail.

But when a mother puts her own child's life at risk by allowing a drug-dazed housemate to drive her home, the feeling turns to anger.

According to a 2010 National Drug Survey, about one in six Queenslanders had used illicit drugs in the 12 months leading up to the survey of almost 27,000 Australians. The Queensland figure outstripped the national average of 14.7% and was the third highest behind the Northern Territory with 21.3% and WA with 18.6%.

Cannabis was the most commonly used illicit drug in Queensland ahead of ecstasy, methamphetamines, cocaine and hallucinogens.