DJ PUTS WORRIED MOTHER IN A SPIN

PRO-cannabis campaigner and former drug smuggler Howard Marks has come
under fire from a concerned mum over his planned appearance at the Waterfront.

The city council funded venue welcomes convicted smuggler Howard Marks, who
stood in the general election in both Norwich North and south last year, on
friday.

Mr Marks was unavailable for comment but Waterfront venue co-ordinator
Stephen Forster said the event was being staged by an outside production
company Yo Yo productions. "He has not been booked in to commit crime, he
has been booked as an entertainer, someone to play a few records and maybe
promote his book" he said.

"We may well have booked someone with a few points on their driving licence
in the past - it doesn't mean that we condone motoring offences".

He added the King Street venue was working with drug help agency the
Matthew project to offer youngsters advice with a wide range of problems.

We have an anti-drugs policy. People are searched as they go in and we
simply do not tolerate drugs on the premises" said Mr Forster.

But a Norwich mum, who asked not to be named, has slammed the club for
promoting a man who was said to have once controlled 10 percent of the
worlds cannabis supply.

By putting this man on stage and saying "isn't he cool?" young people will
be getting the message that its fine to take cannabis", she said.

"My son started off taking cannabis and moved up the drug ladder until he
was using heroin. It isn't harmless".

And Rachel Bobbitt, spokeswoman for the Norwich City council said "We do
provide an annual grant to the Waterfront, but the venue is managed by the
University of East Anglia students and we cannot get involved unless they
are in breach of contract"

Richard Price, Norfolk police's drug education officer said police would
monitor the event on friday, which also includes appearances from DJs Terry
Francis and Peter Lawrence, as normal.

"In a democracy, quite clearly, Mr Marks has the right to his own views on
cannabis use" he said.

The police will look to monitor this event as we would any other with the
view to upholding the law"