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UK: We tried dope
The Mirror.
Wednesday 11 Oct 2000 Subject: UK: We tried dope Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 Source: The Mirror. WE TRIED DOPE 17 more MPs come forward in Mirror investigation SEVENTEEN more MPs have admitted to The Mirror that they've tried cannabis. They came clean after we set out to contact every one of the 659 Members of Parliament. The vast majority evaded the two questions we posed - whether they had taken dope or supported legalising possession of the drug. In less than 48 hours we managed to contact 617 MPs or their staff. Just over 25 per cent were prepared to talk about the issue. One hundred and eight MPs said they had never tried the drug. Forty-two were in favour of decriminalisation, 55 were against and 36 were undecided. The extra 17 MPs are in addition to eight members of the Tory shadow cabinet who have owned up to trying a joint. Home Office Minister Charles Clarke, whose job includes legislation on drugs, has also admitted dabbling as a teenager. Lib-Dem Lewes MP Norman Baker, 43, admitted to breaking the law more than once. He said: "I hope other MPs are being so honest about it. "I would like to hear the full arguments on legalisation before making my own decision. "There is a lot that needs to be done before changing the laws." Labour MP for Chatham and Aylesford Jonathan Shaw said: "I smoked it several times when I was a student. "It was an illegal act and I don't condone breaking the law but I did it and I don't mind holding my hands up to it.'' Dr Lynne Jones, Birmingham Labour MP, said: "When I was much younger I smoked cannabis twice. I don't see any reason to lie about that." Lib-Dem MP Tom Brake admitted a sneaky puff but added: "It didn't do anything for me." Labour MP for Norwich West Dr Ian Gibson said: "Of course I have taken cannabis. You can't have lived through the Sixties and not have tried it. It is ludicrous to suggest otherwise." At least one other MP owned up but would not be named. Another, Brian White, Labour MP for Milton Keynes North East, begged: "Can I plead the 5th amendment?" Liberal Democrat for Newbury David Rendel said: "I have never smoked cannabis but have inadvertently swallowed it. "I was in India as a student with friends and they put some in a hamburger. They told me later I was behaving strangely but I don't remember it." Shadow social security minister Jacqui Lait became the first top Tory woman to admit using the drug. She revealed: "I tried smoking a cigarette when I was 10 or 11 and immediately gave up because it spoiled the taste of my food. "I tried cannabis 10 years later. It had the same unpleasant effect. "One puff and it was not for me. I couldn't honestly tell you what the taste was like." Tory David Tredinnick, Bosworth's MP, said: "I had a few puffs 25 years ago but I still wouldn't want to see it decriminalised. It's just something you experiment with when you're young." Another Labour MP Ivan Henderson also owned up. The MP for Harwich said: "Many years ago I was persuaded to take a puff but as a non- smoker I found it a rather unpleasant experience." The other MPs who yesterday admitted taking drugs were Ian Taylor, John Austin, Martin Salter, Nick Ainger, Bill Rammell and Paddy Tipping. But The Mirror has a special salute for Harold Best, Labour MP for Leeds North West - who can't even recall. Mr Best, 60, said: "To be honest, it's entirely possible.'' mirrornews@mgn.co.uk NORMAN BAKER MP for Lewes I hope other MPs are so honest. A lot needs to be done before changing the law JACQUI LAIT MP for Beckenham One puff and it was not for me. I couldn't honestly tell you what the taste was like IAN GIBSON MP for Norwich North Of course, you can't have lived through the 60s and not have tried it JONATHAN SHAW MP for Chatham & Aylesford It was an illegal act but I did it and I don't mind holding my hands up to it TOM BRAKE MP for Carshalton & Wallington I admit I had a sneaky puff but it didn't do anything for me DAVID RENDEL MP for Newbury I have never smoked cannabis but some friends put it in a hamburger IVAN HENDERSON MP for Harwich Many years ago I was persuaded to take a puff but found it rather unpleasant LYNNE JONES MP for Birmingham Selly Oak When I was much younger I smoked cannabis twice. I don't see any reason to lie about that DAVID TREDINNICK MP for Bosworth I had a few puffs ..it''s something you experiment with when you''re young
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