Anti-drug campaigners blast Prince Harry for sending ‘worrying message to young people’

Activists have criticized Prince Harry after he spoke out again about drug use, saying it is sending a worrying message to young people.

In an interview broadcast live, the Duke of Sussex recounted how the use of cannabis, a Schedule B drug, “really helped” him deal with mental health issues following the death of his mother.

She also spoke about her ‘positive’ experience with the psychedelic drug ayahuasca, saying that it ‘brought me a feeling of relaxation, release, comfort, a lightness that I managed to hold on to for a period of time.’

The 38-year-old duke made the comments in an interview with therapist Dr. Gabor Mate, an outspoken supporter of drug decriminalization who allegedly used the Amazonian ayahuasca plant to treat patients suffering from mental illness.

Harry told him: ‘[Cocaine] it didn’t do anything for me, it was more of a social thing and it gave me a secure sense of belonging, I think it probably also made me feel differently than I did, which was the point. Marijuana is different, that really helped me.’

Fiona Spargo-Mabbs, who launched a drug education charity on behalf of her son Daniel (pictured) after he died of an accidental MDMA overdose aged 16, described the comments as “troubling”.

Fiona Spargo-Mabbs, who launched a drug education charity on behalf of her son Daniel after he died of an accidental MDMA overdose aged 16, described the comments as “worrying”.

“Our work is with children under 18 years of age and our concern is that this may send a message that will make young people think that drugs are going to help them with things that are really difficult,” he said.

“It is a time when many of them are struggling with their mental health. The numbers have really gone up and access to support services is a real struggle as services are incredibly overburdened.

‘Unfortunately, young people are getting the message from somewhere that drugs are going to help them with their problems and anything that reinforces that is a concern for us. Using drugs as a coping strategy is more likely to lead to dependence than other motivations because that’s the way you deal with something.’

She added of Harry: “He’s been very public about his drug use, which is one thing, but the claim that he helped him is a concern for young people.”

Ffiona (right) said: “Our work is with children under 18 years of age and our concern is that this can send a message that young people will think that drugs will help them with things that are really difficult.”

TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp also criticized the duke, tweeting: “If you have a big platform, you don’t talk about illegal drug use, the trade that kills people.” In his memoir, Spare, Harry admitted to using cocaine, cannabis and magic mushrooms and was accused of being ‘irresponsible’ and glorifying drugs.

Yesterday, his latest comments were used by pro-cannabis campaigners to reinforce their calls for it to be legalized in the UK.

The CannaClub said on Twitter: ‘It’s definitely time to decriminalise.

“If it’s good enough for our Prince Harry, then it’s good enough for millions of people. Listen to the science. Cannabis is good for many foods.’

Clear Cannabis Law Reform, which campaigns to make legally regulated cannabis available on prescription and at licensed adult outlets, also retweeted a link to an article about Harry.

Yesterday, a charity criticized Dr. Mate for diagnosing Harry with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) on air.

The ADHD Foundation said it was “neither ethical nor appropriate to tell someone for the first time, in a public interview, that they have ADHD.” It is up to the individual to decide if he discloses her neurodiversity.’