Prince William questions legalising of drugs
THE DUKE of Cambridge has spoken to former addicts on the controversial topic of legalising drugs.
William asked three individuals, helped by drug addiction charity the Spitalfields Crypt Trust (SCT), about the “big dangers” of lifting the ban.
He did not give his personal opinion but appeared to be on a factfinding mission, telling the trio that after meeting them and touring the SCT in Shoreditch, east London it was a “question I had to ask”.
For more than 50 years the charity has provided services for addicts who are usually rough sleepers, something William is likely to have come across in his support for the homeless charities Centrepoint, in his role as patron, and The Passage.
Sitting in the SCT’s art room, the Duke said: “Can I ask you a very massive question - it’s a big one – there’s obviously a lot of pressure growing in areas about legalising drugs and things like that. What are your individual opinions on that?
“I know it’s a big question, but you seem like the key people to actually get a very good idea as to, you know, what are the big dangers there - what are the feelings?”
Heather Blackburn, 49, said she thought the legalisation of drugs was “a good idea” and that money was wasted on “drug laws”.
She added: “Most of the people I’ve known in recovery, 95 per cent had massive trauma and terrible stuff happen to them and using drugs to cope and then you get put in prison, you don’t get the facilities and the actual help you need, you get punished.”
I know it’s a big question, but you seem like the key people to (ask) Prince William talking to former addicts at the Spitalfields Crypt Trust.