Polanski said he had personally never taken drugs or drunk alcohol, adding that it “wasn’t for me”. <\/p>\n
Asked why he had never drunk alcohol, he said: “I grew up in school where a lot of my friends were drinking and in fact taking drugs and it felt like somebody needed to be sober.<\/p>\n
“I’ve always liked dancing without taking drink or drugs.<\/p>\n
“If anyone wants to do it and they’re doing it safely fine, I’m glad people are having a good time.<\/p>\n
“But we know lots of people aren’t doing it safely so let’s make sure they get the support they need.”<\/p>\n
Asked whether he believed legalisation could send a message to young people that using drugs would be okay, Polanski replied: “I think the danger is happening right now which is where we’re pushing it into street corners and a black market.”<\/p>\n
He pointed to the organisation Anyone’s Child, set up by families of those who had died due to drug use.<\/p>\n
“They’re saying very clearly with one voice we need a national conversation about how the war on drugs is not working,” said Polanski.<\/p>\n
“In fact it’s making drugs more dangerous and actually what we need is a grown-up conversation based in evidence, taking a public health approach that looks at prevention, intervention and make sure that afterwards people can get the support they need.”<\/p>\n