Life Skills Education

‘Grossly irresponsible’ Robbie Williams blasted after describing cannabis as ‘lovely’ during an interview

By Liz Thomas

Robbie Williams was yesterday accused of being ‘grossly irresponsible’ for encouraging his young fans to try cannabis after he described the illegal drug as ‘lovely’ during an interview.

The controversial singer, who has battled addictions to cocaine and prescription drugs, said he was still smoking the illegal substance last year and claimed it was ‘a shame’ that it ‘did not mix well’ with him.

But charities and campaign groups have reacted with fury at his comments and claim he is effectively promoting a Class B drug that has been linked to the development of mental illness and psychosis.

The majority of the stars fans are in their teens and his new song Morning Sun has just been selected as the official Sport Relief song, which aims to raise money for disadvantaged people – many of whom will have been affected by drug abuse.

In an interview in the Radio Times Williams told how the tendency to binge eat after smoking marijuana had caused the pounds to pile on.

He said: ‘Have a look at [me] last year. Yep. Year of the Munchie 2009.

‘Weed, it’s such a lovely drug. It is such a lovely drug. But it doesn’t mix well with me – at all.

‘It doesn’t take much to trigger – I mean, I’ll get psychosis from having this cup of tea! Seriously. The caffeine in that is enough. A cup of tea will make me feel like s***. But it’s just a shame about weed, because I did love it.’

David Gilbert, chief executive of drugs education and awareness charity DARE, branded Williams comments ‘disgusting’.

He said: ‘This is grossly irresponsible. He is a role model. Young people look up to him, they admire him, they want to emulate him so saying something like this is thoughtless.

‘His comments make it sound like he is promoting cannabis use – even though it is known that it is harmful and has links to mental illness.

‘In saying cannabis is a ‘lovely drug’ young people who had not previously tried it  – may be tempted to – and others may believe that there are no ill effects.

The National Drug Prevention Alliance warned that young people are trying the drug earlier than ever – around 12-15 years old now, and that people who smoke marijuana are more likely to try harder drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

Chris Hudson, a nurse from drugs information service Frank said: ‘Cannabis messes with your mind – and reactions can be more powerful with stronger strains such as skunk, which is around twice as potent.

‘Mental health problems associated with using cannabis include paranoia, panic attacks and anxiety and depression. The risks increase the more you use it.’

Williams had to go to rehab for his drug and alcohol addictions – most recently in 2007.

He made his musical comeback last year insisting he was drug free.

Williams’ comments come just days after scientific research revealed that teenage cannabis smokers who carry on using the drug in adulthood are more likely to suffer from hallucinations or paranoid delusions.

Earlier research commissioned by Department of Health found that even a single joint of cannabis raised the risk of schizophrenia by more than 40 per cent.

The 2008 report also found taking the drug regularly more than doubles the risk of serious mental illness.

Research completed by leading psychiatrist Professor Robin Murray in 2005 showed that those who smoked the drug regularly at 18 were 1.6 times more likely to suffer serious psychiatric problems, including schizophrenia, by their mid-20s.

For those who were regular users at 15, the stakes were even higher, with their risk of mental illness by the age of 26 being 4.5 times greater than normal.

It is thought that, used during teenage years, the drug can cause permanent damage to the developing brain.

Cannabis was declassified to a Class C drug in 2004 but in 2008, the then Home Secretary Jacqui Smith reclassified it to a class B drug, citing the rise of the ‘skunk’ form of the drug which is far stronger.

She said at the time: ‘This powerful form of cannabis is an illegal and harmful drug. There is a compelling case for us to act now, rather than risk the future health of young people.’

However, others questioned the link, pointing out there has been little change in rates of schizophrenia in recent years despite the rise in cannabis use and the increasing strength of the drug.

In 1997 Brian Harvey, lead singer of boyband East 17 was sacked after boasting of taking 12 ecstasy pills in a night and telling fans that the drug was ‘safe’.

In a radio interview he said: ‘I think people genuinely like feeling like that. That’s why they go out and that’s why they do it. They don’t do it just to say `We don’t care if it’s illegal, we’re going to go out and do it all the more’.

`If it brings out the better in someone – and really, in the long run, it’s a safe pill and it ain’t doing you no harm – I don’t see the problem. I’ve done pills myself, I’ve done 12 in one night, you know what I mean – loads of them. I’ve been off it on them. The thing is, if you bang one, you go out, you have a good night and that’s what people want to do.’

The band had been riding enjoying success in the charts with hits such as Stay Another Day and If You Ever and sold 20 million records worldwide.

But after he made the comments MPs and health groups condemned the pop star as `irresponsible’ and accused him of being a bad influence.

The nation’s leader at the time John Major even raised the issue during Prime Minister’s Questions.

Harvey desperately tied to apologise saying he regretted what he had said and warning fans: ‘Never take ecstasy – it can kill you.’

It was not enough to save him and the three remaining members of the band – Tony Mortimer, Jon Hendy and Terry Coldwell opted to fire him because they ‘could not condone taking ecstasy or any other illegal substance.’

Mortimer quit months later and Harvey re-joined in 1998 but the band were dropped by their label just a year later.

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Dead smoker has ‘Smoking Killed Me’ signs placed on hearse

A life-long smoker had his dying wish honoured today when he had the words ”Smoking Killed Me” placed on signs in his hearse.

Albert Whittamore, known as Dick, died last month aged 85 after suffering for years from emphysema, a progressive lung condition he blamed on his habit.

He wanted the ill-effects of his smoking to act as a warning to others and dictated in his will that the signs be placed inside his hearse as it passed through his home town of Dover in Kent.

One of the signs was also placed at Mr Whittamore’s graveside, according to his wishes.

Paul Sullivan, of Sullivan & Son funeral directors, said: ”Although he had reached the age of 85, he had been suffering for a while and wanted to do his bit to warn others about smoking.

”He specified that that’s what he wanted in his will. We gave it some thought but after a while we decided that that’s what he had requested.”

Mr Whittamore, who ran a small printing business in a shop below his home, was forced to use a motorised wheelchair in his later years as his health faltered.

A spokesman for the stop smoking charity Quit said: ”We understand Dick had emphysema, which is a lung condition caused by smoking which results in people struggling for breath.

”Dick is sending out a strong message to smokers as he doesn’t want others to suffer.”

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People who drink to excess may no longer be able to blame their friends for piling on the pressure, new research has revealed.

A number of adults questioned in the YouGov poll said they had put excessive drinking down to peer pressure but very few said they expected their friends to keep up with them or forced them to drink more when they did not want to.

The survey, for the Department of Health’s Alcohol Effects campaign, also found that people made up excuses or lied to justify refusing a drink, even though it was unlikely their friends would think less of them for doing so.

The poll of more than 2,000 English adults found that more than one in five (22%) people who had ended up drinking more than they planned had blamed peer pressure.

But only 2% of those surveyed admitted to piling on the pressure for friends to drink more when they did not want to and just 4% expected their friends to keep up with them when drinking.

The survey also revealed that 39% of drinkers felt the need to make up an excuse or lie to justify refusing a drink but only 1% said they would think less of those who turned down alcohol or chose to drink less than them.

Experts said the research showed that all drinkers should feel confident about admitting to friends when they have had enough.

Gillian Merron, Public Health Minister, said: “Many of us enjoy a drink – drinking sensibly isn’t a problem, but too many are regularly drinking more than the NHS advises. This means you’re at higher risk of getting cancer or having a stroke or heart attack.

“This survey should encourage us all that it is OK to be honest with our friends about when we’ve had enough.

“Protecting our long-term health should be a good enough reason for anyone.”

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Mephedrone: classifying ‘legal highs’

Until we know the real harm of legal recreational drugs such as mephedrone, they should be put into a holding ‘class D’

By David Nutt

A couple of weeks ago, seven students from Lancaster University were arrested for possession of a drug, even though the policeman leading the arrest team made it clear that the drug was not illegal. This was not the first time the police had exhibited such behaviour in relation to this drug, so what is leading to this apparently irrational police behaviour? The drug in question is mephedrone [not to be confused with the opioid substitute treatment methadone], a synthetic stimulant drug that is relatively new on the UK drug scene although it has been popular in Israel for a number of years.

Mephedrone is one of a number of so-called “legal highs” – these are drugs that users find pleasurable but which are not yet illegal, and indeed may never be. Mephedrone goes under various trade names such as “meow meow”, “plant food” and “bubbles”, terms derived from its chemical structure, commercial uses and subjective effects respectively. It is readily available from “head shops” and is popular with university students and other groups of clubbers. Its pharmacology is hardly studied but it is chemically related to the amphetamines. Users describe effects that suggest its actions are between those of amphetamine (speed) and MDMA (ecstasy); it activates, energises and makes them feel good but is relatively short-lasting.

There are several reasons for its current popularity. Mephedrone is sold as the pure substance, so users know what they are getting. This contrasts with current street supplies of ecstasy and speed, which are often very low quality after being cut with inactive agents and may even contain some other, more dangerous, drugs such as methylamphetamine. Another reason for its popularity is that it is legal, so can be purchased without having to make contact with drug dealers who may pressure buyers towards other drugs, and currently there is no risk of a criminal record from being caught with it. In contrast, being caught in possession of MDMA and other class A drugs means one risks up to seven years in prison, and for amphetamines [class B], five years. Users see benefits in avoiding the limitations to their careers that a prosecution for drug possession would bring. Prior to the rise of mephedrone, another stimulant known as BZP was popular, but the government has recently made this a class C drug, which may have displaced users to mephedrone…

The article continues here

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For more information, check out this informative article on the Metro website.

The Press have recently started the Mephedrone Menace campaign to raise awareness of the effects it can have. To check it out or sign the petition to make it illegal, hit the banner below.

Growing numbers of children are being treated for cocaine addiction, figures revealed.

Since 2005, the number of under-18s being helped to get off the drug has increased by more than 65%, NHS figures show. Treatment numbers for 18 to 24-year-olds doubled in the same period.

The study by the National Treatment Agency in England found three-quarters of users combined the drug with alcohol.

Mixing is thought to boost the high but also causes more damage to the heart and makes users more violent.

After six months of treatment with cognitive behavioural therapy, four in 10 addicts were clean, but nearly a quarter had dropped out of treatment.

Paul Hayes, chief executive of the NTA, said: “More people are using powder cocaine, more people are seeking help for dependency, and more are being successfully treated.

“Powder cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug which induces psychological rather than physical dependence.

“Most users will be treated locally in their communities with talking therapies rather than medication, and our message to users is that if they need help, they can get it and it works.”

Last year 12,354 people were treated for cocaine addiction in England.

Between 2005-06 and 2008-09 the number of under-18s in treatment went from 453 to 745 and the number of 18 to 24-year-olds doubled from 1,586 to 3,005.

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Dear Heroin,

I never want to touch you ever again. You’ve ruined my life, made me steal from my family, on probation ’cause of you. Why I choose you I don’t know?

You’re the worst thing that ever came into my life. Yes, I did love you but now it’s time to say goodbye.

I’m so ashamed of myself ’cause of you. I OD’d three times, you’re a big risk to anyone that does it and to me.

So I’m going to be strong and stay away from you and never touch you again.

My family have supported me all the way but I just kick them up the backside taking advantage of them. Stole off my mother, granddad, mam I borrowed money off her and didn’t give it back. She’s getting old now, and look what you’ve made me do, my nan – £120 stolen off her, once again ’cause of you.

I love my family from the bottom of my heart, it’s not nice being called a junkie. It feels horrible, you feel so small. Well I feel small, you made me feel like I’m worth nothing, just a dirty junkie sticking needles in my arms.

You’re out of my life now, don’t need you no more. Yeah, you’ve messed up nearly two and a half years of my life but I’ve still got my whole life ahead of me and I’m going to prove to everyone that I can stay away from you, going to college, getting a job and a car.

Then get on with my life and get my family’s trust back. Stop offending, that’s the only reason I was doing all that ’cause of your dirty addiction. You make me sick to be honest with you.

I did love the buzz of you but you’re not worth it.

But not anymore, I’ll make sure you stay away from me, and I’ll stay away from you.

I was brought up by a good family not a bad one, yeah I’ve had a lot of problems in my life, been quite bad actually, all because of you!!

You’re a killer, you’ve killed a lot of people and really they are good people. I’m lucky that you haven’t put me in a box cemetery.

Lost loads of my mates and it hurts me, they sometimes blank me ’cause they know I’ve been on you it’s not nice when I’ve got pin holes in my arms and marks, track marks.

The illness that I go through when I use you and the after effects, cold turkey, clucking, withdrawals, it’s the worst feeling that you’ve put me through, being bad off you.

Wanted to kill myself a few times ’cause I couldn’t go through it. Well guess what heroin, I can and did do it. I can beat you anytime. I can control you, you don’t control me.

I’ve got enough will power to get you out of my life for good. I’m strong and much stronger than you can ever be. I’m not losing anything over you.

Goodbye heroin. Never again. Family comes first.

Hannah Meredith

1992 – 2009

Lessons about tobacco should be in a range of school subjects and take in more than the physical impact of smoking, say public health advisers.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) wants to stop youngsters from starting to smoke.

It wants information about tobacco to be taught more broadly and to include the legal, economic and social issues.

But Simon Clark of the smokers’ lobby group, Forest, warned “no-one likes to be nagged, least of all teenagers”.

The guidance from Nice is intended to encourage intervention before young people start to experiment with smoking.

By the age of 15, more than one in six young people are regular smokers, according to Nice.

Smoking advice

The guidance calls for a concerted range of approaches – with advice on stopping smoking being given a higher profile in the curriculum.

Information about tobacco should be integrated into subjects such as biology, chemistry, citizenship and media studies, suggests the guidance – looking beyond the health advice about the physical consequences of smoking.

There are also calls for “whole school” smoke-free policies, for anyone visiting or using school premises and support for anyone associated with the school who wants to break the habit.

And anti-smoking efforts in schools and colleges should be led by both adults and young people, the advisers say.

“The earlier children become regular smokers, the greater their risk of developing life-threatening conditions, such as lung cancer and heart disease, if they continue smoking into adulthood,” said Mike Kelly, director of the Nice Centre for Public Health Excellence.

Mr Clark, director of Forest, said: “It’s important that young people are well educated about the risks of smoking, but if tobacco is featured across a range of subjects there is a real danger of warning fatigue.

“If they include tobacco in subjects such as citizenship and media studies, I sincerely hope that they discuss issues such as freedom of choice, personal responsibility and the role of government in changing people’s behaviour. There are strong arguments on both sides of the debate.”

Earlier this month health ministers announced a target of halving the number of smokers in England in the next decade.

The number of people smoking has fallen by a quarter in the past decade to 21%, and the proposed target is for this to be 10% by 2020.

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Got five minutes? Check out the BBC’s ‘Unwind your Mind’ Headroom.

They’ve got advice on a whole range of issues from drugs and alcohol to mental health and general wellbeing.

Parents are underestimating their influence on children’s drinking habits, according to a Government campaign.

More than half of young people who have drunk alcohol say they are usually given it by their parents, according to a study commissioned by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

And children in households where adults drink heavily are more likely to drink themselves.

Under the Why Let Drink Decide? campaign, new cinema adverts targeted at young people will show the risks associated with alcohol.

Local authorities will be handed ”good practice guides” to help them work with other services, such as the police, to stop under-age drinking from becoming a problem in their area.

More than 2,000 youngsters are today playing in a Kickz football tournament, which will encourage those taking part to have discussions about the dangers of under-age drinking.

Parents will also be given advice on under-age drinking to allow them to talk to their teenagers about the issue, ministers said.

The new research, which questioned more than 4,000 parents, children and young people, reveals one in four (26%) of youngsters said their parent had never talked to them about alcohol.

Almost one in ten (9%) are unaware that their child has ever drunk alcohol.

Some 17% of parents said they had thought about what to do if drinking was becoming a problem for their child, but eight in ten (80%) said they would just deal with it when it happens.

Schools minister Vernon Coaker said: ”Today’s research shows that parents underestimate their influence over their child’s drinking and attitudes to alcohol, yet a quarter of young people have never spoken to their parents about the issue. That’s why through the ‘Why Let Drink Decide?’ campaign we are giving parents and young people the confidence to have open conversations about alcohol, to ultimately delay the age at which young people start drinking.

”Some young people need more help, support and fun alternatives to drinking, which is why we are launching the Kickz Cup 2010 today.”

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A DRUG used as a “legal high” could be banned in the UK after five teenagers from one small County Durham village suffered a serious reaction.

Mephedrone is being sold legally on the internet as plant fertiliser but is more commonly known on the streets as “drone”, “bubble” or “meow meow”.

Its chemical formula is one molecule different to ecstasy and as such dealers claim is not a controlled substance. Their sales pitch is that in powder, crystal or liquid form it is a legal ecstasy-style drug.

However, Durham Police are warning that its use can result in severe nose bleeds, nose burns, hallucinations, blood circulation problems, rashes, anxiety and paranoia, fits, delusions and can lead to a heart attack.

Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman acted after five teenagers from the village of Cockfield, in her own constituency, were hospitalised after taking the drug.

She said: “I was really shocked by what happened in Cockfield and I know the local police are also very concerned about the impact this dangerous drug is having on our community.

“It is quite clear that legal status does make a difference, and that as long as this drug remains legal young people are more likely to use it and the police are less able to tackle the problem.

“I think its really important that this drug becomes illegal as soon as possible, and I am optimistic that we will have an announcement on it before Easter.”

She has also met Neighbourhood Police teams in Barnard Castle to hear their “serious concerns” about the recent increase in mephedrone use by local teenagers.

She has written to the Home Office to call for the drug to be banned and the Drug Advisory Council – which makes recommendations to the Home Secretary about drug classification – will shortly publish its assessment on the dangers of various ‘legal highs’ including mephedrone.

Parliament will then have the opportunity to consider their report and it is hoped it may move to make it illegal.

Inspector Kevin Tuck of Teesdale police added: “We met with Mrs Goodman last week to express our concerns and to gain her support in trying to have this substance controlled as soon as possible. She recognises the real harm mephedrone poses to users and communities within the Bishop Auckland constituency and has acted quickly to raise the issue with the Home Office.

“We are grateful for this quick intervention and understanding. Although Teesdale was one of the first hot spots in the UK this is now a national issue with numerous reported incidents and problems the length of the country. Teesdale Police want to keep this issue in the public domain to help educate potential users, parents, teachers and other professionals in an effort to reduce harm.”

In Sweden an 18-year-old died from taking the drug and it has now been banned there, as well as Israel, Norway and Finland.

Article taken from Journal Live