HARRY 'HUMBLED' BY HORROR OF DRUG CLINIC

FOR two years, Prince Harry has been known among family and friends
as a party animal. Although he is careful about his behaviour at Eton
College, he enjoys a lively social life away from school.

Nothing, however, could have prepared Prince Harry, 17, for his
experience at Featherstone Lodge rehabilitation clinic in Peckham,
south London. Although he has now admitted smoking cannabis on
several occasions, it is unlikely that he had ever found himself
among hardened drug addicts.

Accompanied by Mark Dyer, his aide, Prince Harry was introduced to a
former heroin addict who was to be his chaperone - or "buddy" - for
the day. After being shown around the building, the young Prince
spent time in the art room before lunch with resident addicts.

A family friend said: "Harry was shown the residential area and the
detox rooms. He was really surprised at the severity and the tidiness
of the place. At lunch he went into the dining room and kept
remarking at the lack of distractions, how sparse it was, how there
was only one small television. He was quite shocked by this.

"He spent the afternoon in the art room. It's an in-your-face kind of
place where addicts go and express their feelings. There are huge
abstracts, flashes of fire and lightning with words like 'acid,
heroin, crack and addiction' scrawled across. That experience alone
left Harry reeling."

It was later that day, however, when Prince Harry attended a communal
therapy session that made the greatest impression. The friend said:
"He was extremely shy at first, embarrassed to be there, but Harry
heard from the others how they got into rehab. Most of them said it
started with them being hooked on soft drugs like cannabis and that
started the pattern. Harry felt humbled by the experience. By now he
was asking lots of questions, he was keen to know everything."

The visit was said by Prince Charles to be a success. Bill
Puddicombe, the chief executive of the centre, described Prince Harry
as "relaxed and friendly". He said: "We were pleased that Prince
Harry came to our rehabilitation centre at the request of the Prince
of Wales. He spent time with us and we explained the programme that
people go through to get over the addiction of heroin, cocaine and
other drugs.

"He met some people in recovery and heard their life stories,
complete with harrowing details. He was relaxed and friendly with the
residents and they responded warmly," he said. "Most people here
thought this was responsible parenting to show Prince Harry what the
consequences of drug taking can be.

"I was delighted to discover that the visit had been a success. When
I saw Prince Charles in November I inquired after Prince Harry. He
told me Harry had enjoyed his time with us and definitely learned
something. We're very proud of the work we do. It's helped an
enormous amount of people. We're pleased Prince Harry is one of
them." While Prince Charles was reportedly shocked to learn of his
son's cannabis use, it is likely that his own experiences may have
made it easier for him to relate to his son's problem and
embarrassment.

It was at the age of 14 that Prince Charles was involved in a
drinking episode. During a sailing trip to Stornoway, he and four
other boys visited a hotel on the Isle of Lewis where he found
himself in a public bar. He decided to order a cherry brandy.

The incident attracted international attention, and Prince Charles
was smuggled away on the floor of a car. Buckingham Palace denied the
incident before later admitting to it. Prince Charles has since said
the words cherry brandy make him "wince".

Last night Prince Charles was reported to have told an aide: "There
is no point hiding the truth. These are the facts. Let people make
their own judgment."