AS WE have make clear today, the residents of Franklin Road, Hastings Road and Wellington Road in Brighton are innocent victims of a drugs problem that sees dealers regularly visiting the area.

For different reasons they see it as a place where they are less likely to get caught. Now the police clearly know of the issues there.

In fact, detectives named those very streets themselves.

Our hearts go out to those in the city being blighted by drugs.

Whether it is parents whose children are getting caught up in it or the users themselves.

People become vulnerable to drug use for different and complicated reasons.

Yes they must take it upon themselves to say no as there is no excuse. But this is not to say that they do not deserve our help.

We have run a response from the police today but what is clear is that the force is working to combat this issue.

But they are fighting against an unstoppable tide at times.

Our hard working officers are doing what they can clearly.

1,000 arrests in 10 years in the city is testament to that. But how many people have they had to arrest again and again?

When we report how residents are calling for help this request does not simply fall at the door of the police.

We need to find a new way of confronting the drugs issue.

While the police must continue its work in tracking down and convicting dealers who prey on youngsters, for all their hard work people continue to die. Charities need continued support and the Government must find a better way. We suspect harsher penalties for dealers combined with help for users would be a start.