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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Comedian Russell Brand called to drugs inquiry by Leicester MP Keith Vaz
Leicester Mercury Monday 23 Apr 2012 The former heroin addict will appear before the Home Affairs Select Committee, chaired by Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, tomorrow. Brand is to talk about his battle against addiction to the committee. It is due to make recommendations to the Government later this year about possible changes to drugs laws. Mr Vaz said: "Hearing from those personally affected by drugs use is essential to our inquiry. "I welcome Russell Brand's openness about his addiction and recovery. "I hope that his experiences will help us understand the nature of addiction and the impact that it has on addicts and those around them. "I think Mr Brand will be able to offer us some insight into how he came to be involved in drugs, and also how he came to make the journey out of drugs." The inquiry is looking at whether possession of cannabis should be legalised, and whether possession of addictive, class A drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine should be decriminalised. Mr Vaz said: "We are hearing from many different kinds of people and I think as a role model to very many young people it is important to hear from Mr Brand." The comedian will speak alongside Chip Somers, boss of detox centre and charity Focus12, where the former heroin addict star once sought help. The pair are also expected to talk about Brand's latest project, a documentary on the nature of addiction and how it is viewed by society. They will be followed by a second panel of three critics of the decriminalisation of drug use – journalist Peter Hitchens, who is writing a book called The War We Never Fought – Britain's non-existent war on drugs; Kathy Gyngell, an expert on the use of methadone; and Mary Brett, trustee of charity Cannabis Skunk Sense, which aims to raise awareness the effect of cannabis use. A Leicester Mercury investigation into the scale of drug use in Leicestershire will also form part of the evidence for the inquiry. If class A drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine were decriminalised, addicts would not face criminal action when caught with either of the drugs. Instead, they would be dealt with as people in need of treatment. Dealers and people producing hard drugs would still be committing a criminal offence. http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Comedian-Russell-Brand-called-drugs-inquiry/story-15890523-detail/story.html?
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