Blur man's coke crusade

Alex James supports cocaine campaign

21 May 2008 - Former Blur bassist Alex James was supporting an eye-catching photographic exhibition in Trafalgar Square on 21 May, highlighting the environmental and social realities in Colombia of the cocaine trade.

James’ compelling documentary of the damage being done to the Colombian people’s livelihood as a result of the Western demand for cocaine was aired earlier this year on BBC One.

As someone who took the drug in the past, he admitted such steps will never stop people supplying and using the drug but he hopes the campaign will have some impact.

He said: "Cocaine particularly has an unassailable glamour - it’s associated with champagne lifestyle and is a very strong brand, but I think it’s possible to put a few dinks in the impenetrable sheen that it has. You know, you can’t tell people not to take drugs, they won’t listen."

James added: "When you show people pictures of monkeys having their houses destroyed so people can take some more drugs then that’s more engaging somehow, I don’t know why - so I think this is an excellent initiative by the Colombian government basically showing people big pictures of rainforests with holes in."

"This definitely will make people more aware, I never had a clue about this.  Now I'll go home and tell my girlfriend."
Anton

Vernon Coaker, Home Office Minister, is pleased to have the former Blur bassist on board.

He told 6 Music: "I think it’s great that Alex James has shown his support. He’s been to Colombia, he’s seen the environmental degradation, he’s seen the deforestation, he’s seen the forced involvement of children in the trade. He’s seen the way cocaine has taken over large parts of Colombia, the efforts the government has to make not only with the police but with the army to try and control it."

The initiative has united Colombian and UK forces in an attempt to increase awareness.  We also spoke to the Colombian Vice President, Francisco Santos Calderon.

He revealed:  "Every gram of cocaine that you inhale destroys four square metres of pristine rainforest with all the animals you have in there."

Calderon was also thrilled with the musician's backing of the cause.

He explained:  "Alex went to Colombia and saw the massive damage that’s being done personally, so he’s a validator. He’s someone who can tell it as it is. I can say whatever you want here but nothing will be more important to the ear of a British consumer or a kid who might consume in the future than Alex James saying it."

One member of the public we spoke to stumbled on the exhibition and went away enlightened.

Anton said:  "This definitely will make people way more aware, I never had a clue about this. Now I'll go home and tell my girlfriend and then she’ll tell her friends that we know where it actually comes from.  Films and music videos right now are the best thing for the youth, to show people the real deal and what's really happening."

Finally, it seems a Blur reunion is imminent but not just yet. 

James concluded: "We're all pretty busy but I'd be surprised if it never happens.  But I would be terrified if it was happening on Monday."

Georgie Rogers