Pubdate: Mon, 14 Jan 2002
Source: Guardian, The (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Guardian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/175
Author: Steven Morris
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

TWIN HAZARDS OF BINGE DRINKING AND CANNABIS

The revelations about Prince Harry expose a problem which is blighting 
society, from the well-heeled children of the upper class through to 
youngsters who live on the most deprived estates. Attention at the weekend 
was focused mainly on the prince's cannabis consumption but experts said 
the affair highlighted the twin problems of drug and alcohol abuse.

By the time they reach their 16th birthday the vast majority of youngsters 
have experimented with drink and three-quarters have been drunk. Binge 
drinking is on the increase with campaigners often blaming drinks 
manufacturers for targeting youngsters. As many as 40% of 16-year-olds have 
tried or are regular users of cannabis.

Excessive drinking often ends up with youngsters getting into trouble with 
the law while taking cannabis and other soft drugs can lead to 
experimentation, and sometimes addiction, with harder substances.

Campaigners yesterday praised Prince Charles' decision to send Prince Harry 
on a visit to Featherstone Lodge, an addiction centre in Forest Hill, south 
London, but also said it was important not to brush the dangers of alcohol 
to one side.

Rosie Brocklehurst, director of communications at the drug and alcohol 
charity Addaction, said: "It's every parent's nightmare that their child is 
going to get involved in drugs. It seems that the Prince of Wales has acted 
with deep sensitivity and very quickly.

"But it is vital that we do not forget about the hazards of drink. Young 
people usually start experimenting with alcohol and cigarettes and then 
often move on to drugs. The government has a drugs strategy but no 
published alcohol strategy. Alcohol is still more socially acceptable than 
drug taking but it can be just as dangerous."

Ms Brocklehurst said there were few facilities for the treatment of young 
teenagers with drug problems - Featherstone Lodge residents must be over 18 
- - and there was no published national strategy for dealing with problems 
created by alcohol.

Yesterday Featherstone Lodge, which was visited by Harry in August, was 
besieged by photographers and camera crews. The blinds were pulled down to 
protect the privacy of the 20-odd residents, mainly recovering heroin and 
cocaine addicts. Loud rap and soul music was being played inside.

Residents had been told to prepare themselves for a royal visit only a few 
minutes before Harry's arrival. The prince chatted with recovering addicts 
over a cup of tea, examined art work produced by residents and sat in on a 
communal therapy group.

Bill Puddicombe, chief executive of the charity Phoenix House which runs 
the centre, said: "Residents told him in stark, horrendous detail about 
their lives prior to arriving at Featherstone Lodge.

"The residents are people in the main who have lost everything, who have 
lost their homes, lost touch with their families and in some cases lost 
touch with children. Their lives revolve around nothing more than trying to 
get their next hit."

During the visit, Harry was said to be relaxed and the residents "warmed to 
him". At the time the centre did not know of Prince Charles' reasons for 
wanting Harry to visit them but Mr Puddicombe said it now seemed like a 
"piece of responsible parenting".
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