Allen defends TV drug experiment

2:21pm Monday 16th July 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Keith Allen said a TV programme in which he takes drugs is a 'forensic analysis' and does not glamourise substance abuse Keith Allen said a TV programme in which he takes drugs is a 'forensic analysis' and does not glamourise substance abuse

Keith Allen has defended a forthcoming Channel 4 programme in which he is seen under the influence of drugs and said it is "insane" to suggest it glamorises their use.

The actor has been filmed after taking an ecstasy-like Class A drug to examine the effects.

The experiment has drawn some criticism, with one think-tank boss calling it "reckless and pointless".

But Allen - father of singer Lily - said the programme was designed as a "forensic analysis" investigating drugs. He was among a number of participants who underwent medical monitoring during the course of the trial, for which he took MDMA.

Speaking on ITV1's This Morning, he said: "If you think that I'm glamorising the taking of drugs by spending an hour and 20 minutes for two consecutive Mondays in an MRI scanning machine then you're insane.

"There were policemen taking part. There were definitely soldiers, people who'd never taken it before. It's a very, very forensic analysis, a neurological analysis of the effects of MDMA. It's a form of ecstasy."

He went on: "It led to a debate on Channel 4 with the police, with Government ministers. It's a very forensic analysis and a very calm look at the question of legality and illegality of drugs."

Allen - who confirmed his daughter Lily is pregnant with her second child - has spoken of his drug use in interviews in the past.

He said that he would be in favour of drugs being taxed, ensuring their use could be used to support public services.

News of the Channel 4 programme drew some condemnation when it emerged. Julia Manning, chief executive of independent think-tank 2020 Health said: "The first two words that come to mind are reckless and pointless. We are fully aware of the effects of class A drugs on the body."

Comments(3)

stevobath says...
3:00pm Mon 16 Jul 12

Anything that gets the drug debate & the call for legalisation going is great.
Only the stupid STILL think that a 'War On Drugs' is the way to go.It doesnt,hasnt & wont ever work.
Typical a 'Think Tank' noentity wants their 5 minutes of attention, with a standard reply.Anything that could affect the Status Quo regarding drugs & the massive multi million pound industry that goes with prohibition,is rubbished.
Noe even some top Police & experts are starting to agree that legalisation needs to be tried out at least.Everything else has been tried & it clearly isnt working apart from the suppliers making millions, along with the massive Anti Drugs industry that legalisation would threaten, not to mention the big profits made by the big pharmaceutical companies providing EXPENSIVE 'cures', such as Martingdale & its physeptone (methadone) deals with various health authorities.Ask anyone whose taken the aformentioned 'legal' Heroin substitute-it ruins the person & is 10 times more addictive & harder to come off.The side effects of the drug are horrendous & only now are the awful effects on the body being investigated.Im sure the addition of ENBALMING fluid as a preservative in Methadone/Physeptone must have a bad effect on someones body? not to mention that a lot of Drug Agency workers really do not have a clue when anything is asked regarding side effects etc.Its all very well concentrating on illegal drugs, but how about some real info & exposees about legal alternatives? Probably cause the big drug companies know they poison people & in the end are not cost effective, when it comes to getting people off illegal opiates.Incidentally
,the drug with the potential for long term health damage in a very short time is KETAMINE.Its cheap & easy to obtain.It causes kidney & bladder problems very quickly.This is the drug lots of young people are trying more & more.When a line costing £1/2 can get you off your nut,then its well within peoples pocket money range.

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stevobath says...
3:05pm Mon 16 Jul 12

And as usual some nonentity from some Govt Funded 'Think Tank' wants to protect their job & position,so HAS to attack anything that might rubbish their position.
Legalisation is the way forward.The War On Drugs Doesnt,Hasnt & wont work.Even some Top Police & Scientists are now actually stating that legalisation is the way forward & we need discussion in an open & controlled manner, instead of the normal scare tactics.

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mouthalmighty says...
4:24pm Mon 16 Jul 12

Well, I think there should be several follow up programmes highlighting the paranoia and other mental health issues that fillow the consumption of drugs for quite a few people.

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