I have to agree with Joan Davies (Letters October 28) about the state Colchester town is in.

I grew up here and I’m bringing my children up here, and I remember it was lovely in town.

We went to Castle Park and everyone was pleasant, I never recall seeing drunks on the street or people walking along with beer cans at the start of the day.

I hate telling my daughter when she asks “what’s wrong with that man?”

that he isn’t feeling well.

I was walking my daughter to school when I overheard a conversation between two parents talking in front of their children about which drugs they managed to get hold of over the weekend and how drunk they got, as if it was cool and funny.

I dread to think how many parents talk about such things in front of their children, but I doubt those ladies are alone.

If they’re brought up thinking it’s cool or funny to get high and drunk every weekend, what sort of life is that for them and future generations yet to come?

Mrs Mann
Colchester