Cocaine helped fuel the riots but there's more to the story

The prime minister and cabinet have made clear their ambition to ensure that those caught rioting will be placed before the courts quickly.

- IAN HAMILTON

The “full force of the law” will be applied, not only as punishment but to serve as a deterrent to anyone thinking of getting involved in the unrest that has spread through our cities over the last 10 days. As the details of the offences emerge, several of those charged with violence are also charged with possessing the class A drug cocaine.

In many ways, cocaine lends itself to those who are involved in rioting. It is a stimulant which not only gives you energy and confidence but distorts beliefs and is disinhibiting. Any strongly held views and feelings are amplified under the influence of cocaine. It is, in a twisted way, the perfect drug to facilitate the kind of behaviour we are seeing at the moment.