Cannabis smoker under drug tsar's nose st1597.htm
Subj: Cannabis smoker under drug tsar's nose
Date: Feb 22, 1998
Source: Sunday Times
Cannabis smoker under drug tsar's nose
THE Treasury has launched an inquiry after a cannabis
joint was found in a smoking room close to the offices of
Gordon Brown and Keith Hellawell, the government's drug
tsar, writes Yvonne Ridley.
The remains of the joint were discovered 10 days ago in an
ashtray, after a female member of staff reported that she
recognised the distinctive smell of the drug.
The offender left no clue except for a stubbed out,
hand-rolled cigarette, apparently containing traces of
cannabis resin.
The smokers' room, which is directly beneath Hellawell's
offices, is only for the use of government employees. Civil
servants are forbidden to take drugs onto government
premises and face disciplinary action or prosecution if
caught.
Some Treasury staff believe a visitor to the offices in Great
George Street, close to parliament, was responsible.
Others suspect staff from external agencies who go to the
offices to carry out routine administrative work.
The discovery is being taken seriously by internal security
staff at the government offices. Hellawell promised to take
a hard line against cannabis when he took on the role of
drugs tsar last year, and is understood to be unamused. He
has reportedly complained about lax security.