DRUG STABBING TIME
I am very sorry to read on the front page of the Belfast Telegraph this evening of the death of Matthew Lyle, son of Advertising executive David Lyle. I know David (and indeed his Mother Laura) and am very saddened to hear of this tragic loss - caused by drugs. As David says in the press release...
"We were all very proud of Matthew in his struggle to overcome drug and alcohol dependency. Our anger and bitterness is directed only at those who prey on young people like Matthew, knowing their weaknesses and callously seeking them out to push their poison for profit."
I know several people whose lives have been ruined by drug use. It affects all of the people who love them as well.
Posted by: Monica-Philadelphia | August 30, 2005 at 08:59 PM
Monica,
It is so sad - and it can happen to any family, high or low. Drugs are such an evil.
Posted by: David Vance | August 30, 2005 at 09:12 PM
Such a terrible waste - although I never saw the attraction in drugs, I worry for my children when they get older. There's only so much the parent can do to control that type of situation.
Posted by: levee | August 30, 2005 at 10:18 PM
I'd like to start by agreeing with what has been already said. I'd also like to say that if the death of this young man gets media coverage then some good may come of this tragedy. However I find some of the coverage grates a little because if this hadn't been the son of someone in the media business his death would have rated a few lines buried in front of the advertisments section. If, God forbid , this had been a working class lad from a rough part of Derry or Belfast nobody would have given a rat's ass.
The drug-dealers can carry on with their filthy business as part of the peace process
with hardly anybody in authority giving a damn as long as it's only common people suffering.
Posted by: Madradin Ruad | August 31, 2005 at 07:50 PM
Oh Mad. Don't be mad. I think that the publicity for this young mans death will bring about some awareness. It's important to know that drug abuse crosses all social, cultural, economic and political lines. Some aren't aware of it or possibly don't want to see it. They would prefer to think of drug abuse as being something only rough working class lads are doing.
Although I haven't seen if the news media is completely saturated with this tragedy. If so then maybe it is a bit too much. If, for example, it's like the Sheehan story here in America then maybe it IS a bit over the top.
Posted by: Monica-Philadelphia | September 01, 2005 at 05:18 AM
I think that the publicity for this young mans death will bring about some awareness.
a point I have made.
There are several seperate issues here.
Posted by: Madradin Ruad | September 01, 2005 at 07:07 AM
I dont understand Monica - its important that people realise that rich kids die of drugs too? I'm sorry but I think of the bible story of talents were three people went of invested them and were 'audited' later. This kid had more opportunity to do things with his life than any kid his age from either rough parts of Belfast and Derry or rural countryside. I'm sorry for his family but he is just another rich kid who died from partying and taking drugs. No realy sympathy there.
Posted by: Nationalist | September 02, 2005 at 01:35 PM
I think you should be sorry for this loss of life whether he is priviliged or not. He is still a person with a family who loves him. We are not aware of what his personal situation was. So what if he came from a better family. That does not necessarily mean that he got what he needed or wanted from his short life. People think it was partying and being stupid but for most people partying is not really the case. He obviously tried to get better but by then the drugs had the best of him. Maybe others should consider how lucky they are regardles or what kind of family they come from.
Posted by: JO | September 11, 2005 at 09:34 AM
Id just like to point out that there appears to be a "Jo" and a "JO" on ATW now.
One is the author of the new website JOBLOG and the other is..well, haven't a clue really... :)
Posted by: Jo | September 11, 2005 at 12:31 PM
Jo, JO,
Glad you put that straight then!
Posted by: Mike Cunningham | September 11, 2005 at 12:35 PM
I thought that it had to be someone new, only because there seemed to be no good rason for the system to suddendly give our Jo a capitalised O. At the same time I agreed with JO's sentiments. Who knows what demons were going on in this kids head. It's tragic.
Posted by: Aileen | September 11, 2005 at 12:46 PM