Anti-drugs group slams Robbie's words

British anti-drug charity Drugscope has condemned pop singer Robbie Williams for hailing his drug-taking days as "the best times in my life".

The former Take That star is currently sober following a high-profile battle with cocaine, ecstasy and alcohol in the late 90s.

In an interview with Britain's Real Radio FM, Williams says: "Some of the best times in my life happened under the influence of drugs.

"I'm not saying: 'Go out and do drugs, kids!' but I enjoyed them. I'd still be doing it (drugs) if I could make good judgment calls, and I'd still be doing it if I didn't blow up to the size of an aircraft hangar."

Martin Barnes, chief executive of Drugscope, fumes: "Scare tactics about drugs rarely work but Robbie Williams seems to have gone to the other extreme in underplaying the risks and dangers.

"Robbie Williams' experience of drink and drugs - a multi-millionaire singer with a small army of minders and managers - will be a world apart from the lives of millions of young people. Drugs are not safe, and the risks can be much greater than simply putting on a bit of weight."