GEORGE MICHAEL SPARKS ANGER AFTER SMOKING CANNABIS ON TV
SHOW

From "Zip Me Up Before You Go-Go" to "Careless Rizla", George
Michael's private life has attracted plenty of damaging headlines
over the years.

And yesterday the singer was in the firing line again after he was
filmed smoking cannabis and talking about his drug use during a
television interview.

Michael, who was recently cautioned by police for possession of the
drug, was criticised by mental health charities for praising its effects.

In an interview for The South Bank Show filmed in Madrid he tells
Melvyn Bragg, the presenter: "This is the only drug I've ever thought
worth taking ... this stuff keeps me sane and happy."

His comments drew instant fire from mental health campaigners.
Richard Colwill, a spokesman for Sane, said Michael was setting a
poor example to his fans around the world.

"There is a growing body of evidence that when cannabis is smoked by
young people it can lead to psychosis when their brain is developing," he said.

Paul Corry, director of public affairs at mental health charity
Rethink went further, describing the performer's actions and comments
as "stupid and naive", and adding: "As a huge international star, any
public comments will draw enormous attention."

William Butler, spokesman for drug and alcohol treatment charity
Addaction, said: "We need stronger and clearer messages about
cannabis harm so people are in a position to make informed choices.
All drugs have potential to harm and that is the principal message we
need to get across."

During the course of the interview, recorded backstage after a
Spanish concert, the 43-year-old singer admitted the drug could have
negative effects and that he regretted taking other stimulants. "It
[cannabis] can be a terrible, terrible drug. You've got to be in the
right position in life to take it. You've got to have achieved most
of your ambitions because it chills you out to such a degree you
could lose your ambitions."

But despite his openness, the programme's producers are at pains to
point out at the beginning that he has never tested positive for
drink or drugs when driving - a reference to a string of recent
incidents that have raised speculation over the state of his private life.

But he reassured fans that his mental condition was fine. "The public
think I'm a man on the brink of a breakdown because I fell asleep in
my car, I hit a parked car and because I cruise as a gay man."

As he prepares to embark on his first world tour for 15 years,
expected to include an on-stage Christmas reunion with his former
Wham! partner, Andrew Ridgeley, Michael said cannabis helped with the
creative process. "I couldn't write without it," he admits.

A spokeswoman for the singer refused to comment but a spokeswoman for
The South Bank Show said: "The interview was conducted in Madrid and
at his home in England. We must make it clear that when he was
smoking he was in Madrid where cannabis use is legal." The interview
will be shown on 31 October.