Pubdate: Sun, 09 Oct 2005 Source: Scotsman (UK) Copyright: The Scotsman Publications Ltd 2005 Contact: http://www.scotsman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/406 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) UK: DAVID CAMERON QUIZZED OVER DRUG USE Conservative leadership favourite David Cameron has been subjected to a TV grilling on his experience of illegal drugs. But he refused to confirm or deny whether he had smoked cannabis as a student. All four of Mr Cameron's rivals for the Tory top job have emphatically denied taking drugs of any kind. But the 39-year-old "young pretender" - who soared to a commanding lead in the polls after a triumphant conference speech last week - repeatedly ducked a hail of questions on the issue on BBC1's Sunday AM programme. The Witney MP indicated he would break with the traditionally hardline Tory stance on drugs if he was leader, emphasising the importance of "education and treatment" - rather than law enforcement - as the keys to the problem. Mr Cameron has sparked controversy within the party by backing relaxation of drug laws, including Labour's downgrading of cannabis from class B to class C. On Sunday he said he would favour a fresh look at the reclassification in the light of new scientific evidence about the increasing strength of varieties available today. And he told interviewer Andrew Marr that he would "absolutely" advise a student today to steer clear of cannabis, both because it is against the law and because of the social and health problems caused by drugs. But he insisted there should not be a "McCarthyite" investigation into MPs' personal experiences in their youth. Senior Labour politicians, including Tony Blair, had never answered questions on cannabis use, and it was a "farce" when shadow cabinet members did so. "I did lots of things before I come into politics which I shouldn't have done. We all did," said Mr Cameron. "I didn't spend my early years thinking I mustn't do certain things because I might become a politician. I didn't know I was going to be a politician." - ---