TEENAGERS' MAGAZINE 'SUPPORTS' DRUG

A MAGAZINE for teenage girls has been criticised for encouraging its readers
to try an ecstasy-style drug that is to be banned by the Government.

Minx, which is aimed at readers aged between 15 and 19, suggests "checking
out" a drug called DOB in a feature in its January issue. The article
describes the drug as "hip" and says it provides eight to 16 hours of "inner
strength, good humour and contentedness".

Although the feature gives warning of the possible side-effects and says
readers could be arrested, it also suggests that the drug will make them
happy momentarily.

Yesterday Keith Hellawell, Britain's anti-drugs co-ordinator and a former
chief constable of West Yorkshire, said: "I condemn irresponsible behaviour
by publications aimed at young people who often act as role models for their
generation. We expect the media to take a responsible attitude to drug
misuse.

Any unknown chemical concoction can be dangerous and young people should
keep away from such drugs in order to feel safe."

A spokesman for the magazine, published by Emap Elan, said the article was
meant to be "tongue in cheek". He said: "Our readers are adults who can make
up their own minds. If they want to take drugs they will."

DOB is one of 36 ecstasy-style drugs due to be banned by the Government
after details of how to make them appeared in a guide on the Internet.