|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
UK: Harry 'humbled' by horror of drug clinic
Andrew Alderson and Danielle Demetriou Sunday Telegraph
Sunday 13 Jan 2002 FOR two years, Prince Harry has been known among family and friends as a party animal. Although he is careful about his behaviour at Eton College, he enjoys a lively social life away from school. Nothing, however, could have prepared Prince Harry, 17, for his experience at Featherstone Lodge rehabilitation clinic in Peckham, south London. Although he has now admitted smoking cannabis on several occasions, it is unlikely that he had ever found himself among hardened drug addicts. Accompanied by Mark Dyer, his aide, Prince Harry was introduced to a former heroin addict who was to be his chaperone - or "buddy" - for the day. After being shown around the building, the young Prince spent time in the art room before lunch with resident addicts. A family friend said: "Harry was shown the residential area and the detox rooms. He was really surprised at the severity and the tidiness of the place. At lunch he went into the dining room and kept remarking at the lack of distractions, how sparse it was, how there was only one small television. He was quite shocked by this. "He spent the afternoon in the art room. It's an in-your-face kind of place where addicts go and express their feelings. There are huge abstracts, flashes of fire and lightning with words like 'acid, heroin, crack and addiction' scrawled across. That experience alone left Harry reeling." It was later that day, however, when Prince Harry attended a communal therapy session that made the greatest impression. The friend said: "He was extremely shy at first, embarrassed to be there, but Harry heard from the others how they got into rehab. Most of them said it started with them being hooked on soft drugs like cannabis and that started the pattern. Harry felt humbled by the experience. By now he was asking lots of questions, he was keen to know everything." The visit was said by Prince Charles to be a success. Bill Puddicombe, the chief executive of the centre, described Prince Harry as "relaxed and friendly". He said: "We were pleased that Prince Harry came to our rehabilitation centre at the request of the Prince of Wales. He spent time with us and we explained the programme that people go through to get over the addiction of heroin, cocaine and other drugs. "He met some people in recovery and heard their life stories, complete with harrowing details. He was relaxed and friendly with the residents and they responded warmly," he said. "Most people here thought this was responsible parenting to show Prince Harry what the consequences of drug taking can be. "I was delighted to discover that the visit had been a success. When I saw Prince Charles in November I inquired after Prince Harry. He told me Harry had enjoyed his time with us and definitely learned something. We're very proud of the work we do. It's helped an enormous amount of people. We're pleased Prince Harry is one of them." While Prince Charles was reportedly shocked to learn of his son's cannabis use, it is likely that his own experiences may have made it easier for him to relate to his son's problem and embarrassment. It was at the age of 14 that Prince Charles was involved in a drinking episode. During a sailing trip to Stornoway, he and four other boys visited a hotel on the Isle of Lewis where he found himself in a public bar. He decided to order a cherry brandy. The incident attracted international attention, and Prince Charles was smuggled away on the floor of a car. Buckingham Palace denied the incident before later admitting to it. Prince Charles has since said the words cherry brandy make him "wince". Last night Prince Charles was reported to have told an aide: "There is no point hiding the truth. These are the facts. Let people make their own judgment."
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!