PREMIER SAYS YES, I SMOKED

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan's admission at the weekend he smoked
marijuana as a teenager has put the heat on other politicians to
reveal their drug dabbling.

Yesterday it was Premier Anna Bligh's turn to answer questions about
whether or not she inhaled and whether or not she liked it if she did.

The Premier was clearly prepared for the question at the press
conference at The Workshops Rail Museum.

She tried marijuana "once or twice at parties" and "frankly I didn't
think it lived up to its reputation," Ms Bligh told reporters at the
community cabinet meeting.

"I'm very happy to join the Federal Treasurer and talk about my past
in this regard," Ms Bligh said.

"Like many other people in the late 1970s, yes I did encounter
marijuana at parties but I'm pleased to say, for my sake, it made me
very sick and I didn't go on to become anyone who used it regularly.

"Did I experiment with it? Yes. But do I have major regrets about
that? No. What I do have major regrets about is ever trying a
cigarette and smoking for 10 years of my life.

"If I could give advice to young people I'd say 'don't try any of it,
but most importantly don't touch cigarettes'".

Ms Bligh said it was important that parents talk to their children
about drugs and alcohol.

While Ms Bligh's ministers were quizzed outside the museum, Mayor Paul
Pisasale was caught in the media spotlight as he tried to thank the
Premier for her announcement about the Ipswich CBD.

"I did go to a party once. I've never smoked it but I did try it and
it gave me a headache," Cr Pisasale said.

"Every party you went to people were trying it. Some people liked it,
some people it gave headaches to. I don't know what the big deal is."