I tend to agree with Dr Alf that Trump’s behind the curve on opioids.

People take drugs for a reason, usually because they need to feel better about themselves and their lot or as a crutch to get through difficulties for which they cannot see a way out.

Those who are wealthy do so to fill a spiritual and mental void, which their lifestyle cannot address, some do it because it is fashionable and a few, like the so-called “Wolf of Wall Street”, did it so that he could telephone investors faster, so that he could satisfy his incredible greed for wealth and please his Wall Street bosses when he first started work.

Working in America carries with it an assumption that, come what may, you will deliver 10% more each year, will do so with a winning attitude, will never coast, will never be average.

The pressure is relentless and under it some people thrive, whilst others fall by the wayside through divorce, ill-health, financial mismanagement or being fired, unable to get work and other difficulties.

Trump’s state of emergency will deal with symptoms not these aspects of life in that country which if they are to be retained mean that people will have to be trained to a much higher level of mental toughness than they are now and become more able to build secondary income streams to sustain themselves during periods of financial difficulty.

Making divorce easier cheaper and faster might sound like a good idea but it is costly, causes young children under the age of seven to think they have done something wrong to bring the divorce about and it is damaging to productivity because people turn to drink and drugs to help themselves cope or are prescribed anti depressants by their doctors.

John Gelmini