When Baltimore recently experienced riots over incidents that highlighted the poor relationship between police and the public, it was also revealed how gangs involved in illegal drug activity were hindering efforts to make the city clean and safe for citizens.

During a rampaging looting spree, much of it captured on camera, culprits were seen attempting to open a safe containing controlled drugs in a pharmacy without success.

However, they did escape with other items they knew they could later market in the underworld of illegal drug activity.

Watching some of that footage on CNN was troubling as even children were involved in the madness — an example of when civil order crumbles.

America is certainly not the only country confronted with violence and crime connected to gang warfare and illegal drug activity.

Of course, what should never go unnoticed is that despite the dark image of a city in trouble, many of Baltimore’s law-abiding good citizens were appalled and felt shame that people could be so disruptive to a point where they were destroying their own city.

As Baltimore tries to rebuild, officials are well aware that beneath the surface, gang activity and the world of illegal drugs is believed to be the cause for a murder rate in May that was the highest it has been in 42 years. It is a concern that even Congress is trying to come to grips with. Trying to seek solutions will involve everyone but that in itself is a problem, especially with turf wars between gangs.

Making it difficult, not only in Baltimore but throughout many cities in the United States and indeed other parts of the world, is that without customers the illegal drug trade would evaporate like a drop of water on a hot summer day. No need to wait for that to happen in a hurry.

Here in Bermuda, we are constantly hearing about police and customs officials uncovering large amounts of illegal dugs destined for the local underworld market. And no matter how many are caught, the flow of attempts never stop.

What may be even more disturbing is that seldom do we hear cheers when a drug bust takes place. One begins to wonder just how wide the underworld market for illegal drugs really is.

Even though many drug smugglers are caught and often convicted and sent to prison, the lucrative trade continues to flourish with no sign that things will change in the near future.

In this small community, one is even hesitant to discuss the problem because of not knowing who may be a customer.

It is not a question of offending someone but it is a question of defending values that build strong healthy communities.

While there may not be any easy answers to stop people stealing to purchase illegal drugs, it seems clear that if one is not part of the solution then you are part of the problem.

Lives have been lost and families have been torn apart by the impact of illegal drugs over the years and most Bermudians are more than concerned for future generations if this trend continues.

It really boils down to customers who keep the trade alive. Perhaps the only possible solution is making certain the next generation is so well educated in the dangers of illegal drugs, that the practice will die a slow death. Without customers the trade would be doomed.

There is no sign of that happening yet, but there is nothing wrong in trying to find a solution to a problem that continues to haunt many countries around the world.

Police and community leaders alone cannot bring about a solution. That will depend on each individual and what values they determine worth passing on to the next generation for a better Bermuda.