MO ADMITS DRUG CONFESSION LED TO CABINET FRICTION

British Cabinet Office minister and former Northern Ireland Secretary
Mo Mowlam yesterday disclosed that her recent admission that she once
took drugs had caused friction with ministerial colleagues.

Dr Mowlam -- attending an international drugs forum in London -- said
she believed her disclosure that she had tried cannabis in her student
days actually helped her in dealing with people in her role as the
government's anti drugs co-ordinator.

However, she admitted that when it came to some of her colleagues in
the cabinet, it was a different matter.

``It is difficult because some agree with me and some don't, but
that's politics,'' she told reporters. ``I have talked to the Prime
Minister, but I think it is better if I leave it at that''.

Dr Mowlam made no reference to her controversial admission during her
15 minute address to delegates at the conference organised by the
Mentor Foundation, which works to prevent drug abuse by young people.

However, she did back research into the medical uses of cannabis for
dealing with diseases such as multiple sclerosis -- although she
stressed that she was not calling for the drug to be legalised.

Talking to reporters afterwards she said she believed that it had been
essential for her to be honest about her own past experiment with
cannabis. ``Honesty is important on any subject and I think that being
clear and honest with people shows they can trust you on what you
say,'' she said.