DRUGS TSAR PRAISES OASIS STAR

The government drugs tsar, Keith Hellawell, yesterday praised the Oasis
star Noel Gallagher for his "change of heart" over hard drugs.

Mr Hellawell, the anti-drugs co-ordinator who took up his post two years
ago this week, said Gallagher had shown "a much more responsible approach,
telling about his negative experiences."

The Oasis songwriter and guitarist revealed this week that a cocaine habit
brought him close to physical breakdown. In 1997, Mr Hellawell described
him as totally irresponsible for saying that taking drugs was as normal as
having a cup of tea.

Mr Hellawell said any help that Gallagher could give to dissuade young
people from getting involved in drugs would be welcome, adding: "Sadly, I
don't think there is ever going to be a time when there are no drugs." He
was speaking at the London Boat Show where he launched a customs and excise
onslaught on drug smuggling. A telephone hotline launched last July has
received more than 14,000 calls providing customs with vital information on
the smuggling of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.