Brown urges celebrities to adopt positive drugs role

CELEBRITIES who take a casual attitude to drugs were yesterday urged by the Prime Minister to think again about the message they are sending out.

Gordon Brown's appeal comes after the United Nations' drug control agency warned that leniency towards drug-abusing celebrities was sending the wrong message to young people.

The International Narcotics Control Board said allowing famous people to get away with drug crimes had a damaging effect on impressionable youngsters and undermined faith in the criminal justice system. Mr Brown said:

"It is very important when there are celebrities and role models for young appeal that they send out the proper messages.

"Some of our role models and celebrities send out the right message … but I hope those who take a casual attitude to drugs will think again and remember the message as celebrities they are sending out to young people in our country."