THE GUARDIAN

by Julia Hartley-Brewer
The government drugs tsar, Keith Hellawell, yesterday praised the Oasis star Noel Gallagher for his "change of heart" over hard drugs. Mr Hellawell, the anti-drugs co-ordinator who took up his post two years ago this week, said Gallagher had shown "a much more responsible approach, telling about his negative experiences."
The Oasis songwriter and guitarist revealed this week that a cocaine habit brought him close to physical breakdown. In 1997, Mr Hellawell described him as totally irresponsible for saying that taking drugs was as normal as having a cup of tea. Mr Hellawell said any help that Gallagher could give to dissuade young people from getting involved in drugs would be welcome, adding: "Sadly, I don't think there is ever going to be a time when there are no drugs."
He was speaking at the London Boat Show where he launched a customs and excise onslaught on drug smuggling. A telephone hotline launched last July has received more than 14,000 calls providing customs with vital information on the smuggling of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

c 2000 Andrew Turner

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