Headline of the Week Weak

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"UN condemns Britain's celebrity cocaine culture"

For reals!!! CLICK HERE to read the article accompanying this headline.

[Image via WENN.]

UN condemns Britain's celebrity cocaine culture

The price of cocaine has fallen to a record low as a United Nations report says that celebrity users have made the drug socially acceptable.

Police say privately that cocaine is becoming as acceptable in middle-class Britain as cannabis was a generation ago and that they are losing the battle against the drug.

The UN drug control agency’s annual report, published today, puts the blame at the door of celebrity culture and accuses the police of turning a blind eye to the rich and famous who misuse the drug.

“Celebrity drug offenders can profoundly influence attitudes, values and behaviour towards drug abuse, particularly among young people,” it said. “The authorities should ensure that celebrities who violate drug laws are made accountable.”

The criticism comes after widespread media coverage of the drug problems of Pete Doherty and Amy Winehouse.

Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said that he would launch an inquiry. “It is vital that we look at the law governing drugs and their availability in the light of this information. We need to be tough on the use of drugs, especially by those who may be seen as role models.”

The UN report says that Britain, Spain and Italy have the highest levels of cocaine misuse in Europe and warns that West Africa is becoming a hub for traffickers. The drug is smuggled out of Colombia through Brazil and Venezuela to countries such as Benin, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Senegal on board ships, private yachts and private aircraft. It is then repacked in small quantities and smuggled into Europe by air. The main airports used are Dakar, Conakry, Freetown, Banjul, Accra and Lagos.

Professor Hamid Ghodse, a member of the UN’s International Narcotics Control Board, said that most of the cocaine from West Africa entered Europe through Spain and Portugal with smaller amounts direct from the Caribbean.

“The organised criminal gangs have lots of resources, they have lots of power,” he said. “They never get near the drugs themselves and therefore operate with impunity”.

Government figures show that the average cost of a gram of cocaine on the streets has gone down from £71 a decade ago to £45 last year. Harry Shapiro, of the charity Drugscope, said: “Consumers are being given a two-tier market. They can buy lower quality cocaine for £30 a gram or pay £50 to £60 for higher quality cocaine.”

The UN report also expressed concern about opium production in Afghanistan. Professor Ghodse said that he believed that the international forces there had lost control. Production rose to 8,200 tons last year.

    Posted: Mar 5, 2008 at 4:50 pm / Email this  »

    113 comments to “Headline of the Week Weak”

    More comments: [1] 2 »

    1. Eat your Veggies says – reply to this


      1

      Duh!!! Of course it should be condemned.

    2. gg says – reply to this


      2

      nice.

    3. jennifer says – reply to this


      3

      wheres the link

    4. melissa says – reply to this


      4

      first! :)

    5. sophie says – reply to this


      5

      wow

    6. nana says – reply to this


      6

      **

    7. a says – reply to this


      7

      coke leagal sounds good to me!!

    8. snorty mc nubbins says – reply to this


      8

      I LOVE coke! It is GREAT!!!

    9. hjh says – reply to this


      9

      first

    10. optimator41 says – reply to this


      10

      me first

    11. Ben Thompson says – reply to this


      11

      Good its ridiculous how its glamorised!!!!!! Its influencing teenagers to think its 'cool' to do it! Just ignore it and stop publicising it!

    12. Marie Cooper says – reply to this


      12

      L.O.L. that's ’cause all the people buying it are O.D.ing

    13. flip90 says – reply to this


      13

      she's horrible

    14. Yummy says – reply to this


      14

      I British and i love cocaine cos its yummy! :-P

    15. La says – reply to this


      15

      I don't understand this 'after the jump' stuff… what jump??

    16. It's A Fact! says – reply to this


      16

      If you rushed to type "first," youre were labeled slow as a kid. Right?

    17. kr says – reply to this


      17

      she is a druggy and no one cares about her at all.

    18. marie says – reply to this


      18

      lmsl;f

    19. lola says – reply to this


      19

      kate is gooooorge!!

    20. Joey says – reply to this


      20

      good!

    21. Jram says – reply to this


      21

      What?

    22. Mindmesh says – reply to this


      22

      Fuck the UN.

    23. _____-- says – reply to this


      23

      First!

    24. AsWickedx3 says – reply to this


      24

      Who cares. People are gonna do what they want one way or another. There are more important issues that worry about UN!!

    25. me says – reply to this


      25

      first

    26. Candy says – reply to this


      26

      I don't understand and will never understand what anyone ever found in her. She's really short and she has absolutely no curves. Just a boring, short skeleton with a crooked nose. That's why there are so many anorexics out there. They looked up to her b/c she was famous. Anorexics on coke. That's what our world has become.

    27. I WISH THIS CUNT WOULD OD says – reply to this


      27

      Die coke whore and take Amy and Pete with your nasty ass

    28. lori says – reply to this


      28

      hello? amy just got awarded for being a drug addict how els are kids suppose to take this message anyhow drugs are always going to be there leagle or not and leagly there danger factor is less so fuk it6 let those who want to get high and those who dot dont pleese enough already!

    29. Amiee says – reply to this


      29

      I hope she has a drug over dose and her little girl finds her dead drugged out body

    30. lala says – reply to this


      30

      first

    31. Shanie Glaves says – reply to this


      31

      Britain does have a massive cocaine problem i live here and it's everywhere.

    32. lala says – reply to this


      32

      (bah)

    33. mambo boy says – reply to this


      33

      cocaine is a big problem here in the UK, infact alot of drugs are…mainly due to how much the media/tv glorifies it.

      2-3 years back parties would all be about 24 packs of beer and getting drunk. now it's all about the drugs. ket, coke, mdma…beer is just an 'added extra'.

      cocaine is still quite expensive compared to some drugs. ecstasy can be bought for as little as £2 a pill…

      i've done coke a few times, but seeing what its done some of my nicest friends have put me off it. it's turned them into nasty, malicious and unthoughtfull people

    34. Jessemm says – reply to this


      34

      They know where the drugs are coming from. They know how and which airports they are coming in through….then do something. Right? They make it sound like it's uncontrolable and way out of their hand yet they have all this "information" Whatever.

    35. heather says – reply to this


      35

      The british pound is a much stronger currency than it was a decade ago. Once the Euro was introduced all European currencies, including pounds and swiss francs, which are tied to the euros exchange rate, even though they opted not to share the currency, strengthened dramatically compared to the dollar and latin american currencies, which are traditionally linked to the US dollar.

    36. Nikki says – reply to this


      36

      Well stop giving everyone a slap on the wrist then. Look at Pete Doherty. Hes been caught with drugs how many times? And never once has he been in jail.

    37. California says – reply to this


      37

      Re: mambo boy – That, and your weather sucks so there's nothing better to do… sex and drugs and rock n roll. Love ya, Jolly Ol' - just sayin' like it is…

    38. do something says – reply to this


      38

      It's about damn time they do something! How many more people…not just celebritards….are going to end up dying from their addictions to drugs?

    39. sav says – reply to this


      39

      "misuse the drug" - how should one 'use' it then?

    40. Bean Pole says – reply to this


      40

      I think she's exotic looking. Very different and unusual. That's the intrigue. Not run-of-the-mill. However, I read somewhere that her body is like a 12-year-old boy's. She's abused it so much from cocaine. No wonder Johnny dumped her (which she's admitted to taking very hard). From the looks of his current skeletal love, Vanessa, he likes 'em bean pole boy thin. Oh well, to each his own…

    41. Daniella Westbrook's Nose!!! says – reply to this


      41

      After seeing Daniella Westbrook's nose I would never touch the stuff but I suppose Westbrook is a prime example of how bad it is here. :-(

    42. buojp says – reply to this


      42

      Re: Jessemm

      Oh yeah, solving the drug trade problem. ho hum, no big deal.

    43. Frankie says – reply to this


      43

      I fear for the world my son will live in one day….

    44. wtf says – reply to this


      44

      why did kate moss get stuck on this article? pete & amy were the ones mentioned, not her
      besides, drug consumption is a victimless crime! decriminalize it already!!!!

    45. Chris says – reply to this


      45

      You would think the British celebs are getting caught daily with drugs. Theres a small minority who regulary get mentioned and its a bit hard to prosecute when the police dont catch them red handed. But yeah Pete Doherty should of been locked up years ago. But in many cases you can't prove what there doing from photo. Also Cocaine was introduced to the UK from the US like many bad things. The UN needs to get its priorities right and think more of the millions dying from poverty and disease than criticising the UK about some celebrity druggies!

    46. gemma says – reply to this


      46

      Cocaine is a helluva drug

    47. wtf says – reply to this


      47

      Re: Amiee – like you had to find your mom? bitter much?

    48. ME says – reply to this


      48

      COKE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A HUGE PROBLEM IN BRITAIN. EVEN BACK TO THE 60'S, 70'S, 80'S, 90'S … IT'S JUST BACK THEN IT WAS THE WEALTHIER WHO COULD AFFORD IT WHEREAS NOW ALL THE SCUM & POOR FUCKERS CAN AFFORD IT & HAVE MADE IT LESS GLAMOUROUS. CELEBS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. IF YOU'RE A WEALTHY CITY BANKER YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE IMPRESSED JUST B/C FUCKING PETE DOCHERTY OR KATE MOSS DOES IT - GET FUCKING REAL U.N!

    49. jollyex says – reply to this


      49

      I don't like coke. I prefer meth, really. LOL!!

    50. J says – reply to this


      50

      price for 1 gram coke in The Netherlands dropped to 40 Euro

    51. ANNA NICOLE SMITH says – reply to this


      51

      1)kids don't take drugs and 2)wtf is wrong with her ear?seriously guys,look carefully at that pic.are we sure this is a real ear and she didn't steal it from the DUMBO (the little elephant)?ok i take that back.Dumbo had more beautiful ears.

    52. ANNA NICOLE SMITH says – reply to this


      52

      1)kids don't take drugs and 2)wtf is wrong with her ear?seriously guys,look carefully at that pic.are we sure this is a real ear and she didn't steal it from the DUMBO (the little elephant)?ok i take that back.Dumbo had more beautiful ears.

    53. Fab-) says – reply to this


      53

      COCAINE ROCKS.

    54. amiee is a douchebag, used of course. says – reply to this


      54

      Re: Amiee – You are one twisted sick freak.
      please get help.

    55. I Love Tennis says – reply to this


      55

      We should legalize drugs!! Stop the war on drugs and save money!!

    56. Dingoseatingyourkids says – reply to this


      56

      fuck the un, Km AW and PW,. let the little cokewhore get assraped about 20 times over an eight bleed out her nose and choke on her own fucking blood. Lets BURN the coke up and do H instead! That will lower the crime rate.

    57. dingoseatingyourkidswhileyouskii says – reply to this


      57

      Patrick Swayze is gonna die. Damn I wish it was Britney.

    58. Vivid says – reply to this


      58

      She needs to get back with Pete.

    59. dongoseatingyourbodieswhileyourkidsskii says – reply to this


      59

      Re: Vivid – and have a big coke orgy but give them a bag of TIDE ™

    60. dingoeseatingfleshwhile the worldskiis says – reply to this


      60

      Re: amiee is a douchebag, used of course. – Theres no help for that kind, except a stake through the heart or something.

    61. dingoseatingtheworldwhenthecokeplantisfree says – reply to this


      61

      Re: ANNA NICOLE SMITH – what do you mean 1)Kids don't take drugs? They take them younger and younger. Look at Daniel. But yeah the ear does look like a left-over prop from LordotRings, go Bilbos ear!

    62. kasha says – reply to this


      62

      definitely the one drug i only did once, but I've seen how fucked up people can get including my best friend.
      cannabis several times every day :D , keeps me sane.
      I'm not against it being legal, I'm just not for it for me or anyone i associate with.

    63. MJ says – reply to this


      63

      Re: ANNA NICOLE SMITH – it's not her ear. There is someone standing right behind her. Drugs are bad!!!! I hate all those celebrities taking drugs.

    64. J says – reply to this


      64

      wow that headline was way to complicated :S

    65. sam says – reply to this


      65

      I hate all these LOSERS who think it is cool and normal to do drugs. Who in the world wants to end up like Amy or Pete or any of those other losers? If you do drugs, please do society a favor and OD. Thanks

      fucking idiots

    66. damn that's expensive in the UK says – reply to this


      66

      You can get really good cocaine for $40 a gram in NYC. I don't know anyone who would spend $100 a gram.

    67. julie says – reply to this


      67

      SAD

    68. Marina says – reply to this


      68

      JA! es re cara la merca alla…

    69. you are stupid says – reply to this


      69

      Re: lori

      OMG. She didn't get awarded for being a drug addict, she was awarded for being an innovative singer. A LOT OF intelligent people mess up with drugs. I don't know why it happens but it's true. Drugs should not be the deciding factor over whether someone wins a grammy or not. Just because you do drugs doesn't mean you don't work hard and deserve an award for the work you've done. UGH it makes me so mad when people say that they rewarded her for being a drug addict. That's just not true.

    70. becca says – reply to this


      70

      I say FUCK IT! Celebrities will always have access to whatever drugs they want. And people will absolutely, positively NEVER stop doing drugs. It just ain't going to happen. They need to make alcohol illegal, because that hurts many more innocent people than drugs do. Drug abusers don't want to share their drugs and that's that. Drugs are bad, mmmkay?

    71. K says – reply to this


      71

      Coke is the only drug anyone should touch!!
      You're all idiots. Drugs enhance fun. They give you a different type of fun. Not everyone becomes an addict from using drugs. I have done drugs for approx 6 years now and I am not an addict. I do them RARELY! Once every 3-4 months… I have fun. Whatevs
      Coke should be made legal and sold over the counter in chemists. That way use is monitored. Other drugs the world can do without. But clean coke would make the world a better place.

      I do agree with the Amy winehouse issue. She should be locked away for the shit she does, Perez you need to stop writting about her. She is f*cking pathetic and in no way deserved the awards she's rec'd

    72. nicole says – reply to this


      72

      kate is gorgeous!!!!!!!! and she needs help to be the coke whore that we all love

    73. Erin says – reply to this


      73

      what a bunch of idiots. They dont want people to use coke, but they're telling people that its cheaper now, so you can get more bag for your buck? thats amazing. amazingly hypocritical.

    74. erin says – reply to this


      74

      Re: K – dont be tellin Perez what to stop writing about biotch. you really think he's going to listen to your ugly coked out self? like you have room to cast aspersions on Amy Winehouse's character. go do some blow skank.

    75. suck says – reply to this


      75

      That's the UK for you! This country is going down the fucking drainhole. Everday people die from stabbings - and it's usually kids as the perpetrators. The drugs stuff is just the icing on the cake - celebs get away witha slap on the wrist, the courts are way too soft!

      Terrorists, druggies, thugs - you're all welcome in the UK!!! In fact, we'll pay you to be here and don't you worry about anyone infringing on those human rights of yours!

    76. opium_yum says – reply to this


      76

      when's the opium goning to make it's way to the US?

    77. opium_yum says – reply to this


      77

      when's the opium going to make it's way to the US?

    78. zale says – reply to this


      78

      misuse the drug?

    79. MelKa says – reply to this


      79

      WOW
      That shit is expensive in Europe.
      In Argentina 1 g. of cocaine is sold for 10 to 12 U$A dollars in streets and clubs.
      I was surprised when Pete Doherty was given a honor price last week and appeared with his nose bleeding and laughing.
      Something is really rong there.
      I'm 26 years old and I can tell you that even here in Southamerica people look up to Kate Moss and Doherty and many young assholes drink and do drugs a lot and think it's cool.
      I know because I worked as PR for many clubs for 5 years.
      They don't know what they are getting into.
      Not everyone can do drugs and not get addicted, in fact most people does.
      I'm not a prude but something has to be done, maybe showing the consecuencies of drug abuse would be a start point.
      If drugs are linked to fame, succes, skinny bodies, glamour teens will get into them. Sad but true.
      Sorry for my bad English, as I said before I'm from Argentina and my original language is Spanish.

    80. timm says – reply to this


      80

      kate moss is such a bad example of a role model to all young british kids/ models around the world. i think its sad that now a days we look up to 'successful' ppl who are continually in and out of rehab, on crack or addicted to smoking. i wish there were more 'successful' ppl who were good role models for younger generations.

    81. Sarah says – reply to this


      81

      Re: Nikki – actually pete has been in jail.
      more than once.

    82. erinnaka says – reply to this


      82

      mmmmm, coke…did it for the first time last night. :)

    83. Shireen says – reply to this


      83

      Whatever. It's still better than America's meth epidemic.

    84. lubelle says – reply to this


      84

      the problem is not drugs, people who do drugs don't do them because they are happy. They are seeking escape. People need to get more counseling and schools should provide extensive social development to help withdrawn individuals overcome depression!

    85. deedee says – reply to this


      85

      The coke keeps her thin. It is a necessary evil in the industry for many.

    86. Miley Cyrus has dirty panties says – reply to this


      86

      HANNAH MONTANA GAVE BIRTH TO A TAN BANANA. IT'S LIVING IN HER UNDERPANTS

    87. Eric says – reply to this


      87

      i heart cocaine….

    88. wtffff says – reply to this


      88

      What the hell U.N and Celebrities? FUCK THE U.N THERE IS MORE TROUBLING ISSUES TO BE WORRIED ABOUT THAN SOME FUCKED UP CELEBRITIES DOING WHATEVER THEY WANT! I HAVE DONE COKE AND IT WOULD NOT HAVE MATTERED IF KATE OR PETE DID IT I WAS GOING TO DO IT REGARDLESS…AND NO I AM NOT AN ADDICT..IN FACT I ABSTAIN FROM DRUGS BUT THIS IS TO ALL THOSE IGNORANTS!

    89. alan brickman says – reply to this


      89

      the UN will say anything to disguise their "anti-semitic" culture….

    90. don't judge me says – reply to this


      90

      Re: Candy

      You're totally prejudice against boring, short skeletons with crooked noses. You don't know me, asshole!

    91. some chick says – reply to this


      91

      kate is amazing and her drug of choice is amazing

    92. Bob says – reply to this


      92

      Re: snorty mc nubbinsRe: ANNA NICOLE SMITH – Looks like thats someone standing behind her.

    93. kay says – reply to this


      93

      cocaine is evil.. "anything that makes you feel that good, is the devil"

    94. slammer says – reply to this


      94

      It's like the rolling stones all over again.

    95. LaaDeeDaa says – reply to this


      95

      Pete Doherty does not give a shit about anyone or anything. It doesn't bother him if he is seen doing a line of coke on Oxford Street because he'll just keep doing it. Problem is, he's sexy. Hell, he makes me want to line of coke right here and now. I guess there is a big problem with cocaine in the UK because all of my friends do it, but they there's also a big problem with obesity - and cocaine is seen as an easy remedy for fighting FAT! Maybe people should stop blaming celebrities and start confessing that all they want is instant results and instant pleasure and they'll do all they can to get it! Until that happens, keep on snorting!!

    96. Celebwannabe says – reply to this


      96

      Coke rocks! The only reason I started taking it was bcoz I saw the celebs doing it. If its cool for them, its cool for me! Yay!

    97. HEY, SHIT TALKER... says – reply to this


      97

      Re: K – I dare you to get a PET OR SPECT Scan (brain scan) now and then another, 6 years from now–after coke use…fucktard. Coke literally causes brain damage. This is not a joke. The main stream anti-drug ads are so ridiculous, they encourage mockery…but if you are a neurologist, you know coke, meth and E lterally cause brain damage…and it can be subtle, at first…brain damage is cumulative. DO NOT LISTEN TO SOME SPOILED, IGNORANT, YUPPIE–even if he bought his dark, rocker clothes and hair dye at K-MART…Motherfucker does not know his shit. I don't care if he reads Jack Fucking Kerouac and majored in biology, as an undergrad–these stupid, little (usually rich) boys have not devoted their lives to studying the brain. Don't touch coke, don't look at coke, and shy away from assholes who use it…their obssessive behavior is brain damage and you will ruin your life trying to save someone using. I promise you that.
      Peace out.

    98. COCO CHANEL says – reply to this


      98

      Where the hell are all the dealers giving price cutts. im still paying 100 for an 8 ball since the late 90s lol

    99. HI, OTHER SHIT TALKER... says – reply to this


      99

      Re: COCO CHANEL – They are giving "price cuts" because shitbag, dealers can afford it–what with all the little, teenage, cunts they are enlisting to be buyers…just what we need–generations of uneducated, brain damaged, socially retarded, people behaving like sheep–who lack imagination and can only have "fun" when they are half-dead, like the rest of their friends, "on something," at the party. You know there used to be a time when you did not need an artificial, drug induced, emotion to laugh or relate to people–think about it…drugs create a phony, social world. The only reason people celebrate drugs is to not feel so alone in their isolation and misery. They want others to join them, in fake connections. What happens when the drugs are gone? Can you still enjoy yourself, can you relate to others, responsibly? Or have you become one more socially, stunted, depressed person–who feels "deprived" when he/she can't "party?" Even if drugs did not cause physical problems–AND THEY DO–people who use them become socially retarded. Face life without an emotional crutch. You will be much happier.

    100. omg says – reply to this


      100

      i cant believe people are paying that for a gram lol

    More comments: [1] 2 »