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James Alexandrou on filming Cannabis: What's The Harm?

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Dana Stevens | 10:30 UK time, Thursday, 27 January 2011

Cannabis: What's The Harm? (James Alexandrou)

You'll probably recognise the presenter of Cannabis: What's The Harm? Yes it's the actor who played Martin Fowler in EastEnders, James Alexandrou. After the newspapers published a photo of him with a joint in 2008 he found himself caught up in a media storm about cannabis. And the drug continues to be a controversial topic today sparking passionate discussions on both sides of the legalisation debate. So as part of the Dangerous Pleasures Season ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three is exploring what the effects of cannabis really are.

I spoke to James about making the series and I started by asking him whether the media attention on his own life prompted him to take part in the programme....

JAMES: Originally when I was approached to do the documentary I was very wary because of being associated with cannabis before and how scared I was when that picture first slipped out into the papers somehow. But as I remembered back to when it happened the reaction from people about that was actually pretty much indifferent. People were like 'I saw you in the papers' but it wasn't 'you're a bad person' or 'you're brilliant'. And I think that's the public attitude towards cannabis - the majority of people are indifferent. There is a very vocal minority that are against it and for it but the majority of people are quite indifferent towards it.

Apart from the fact that I was on the telly for a little while when I was younger, I feel that I am quite a normal, average 25 year old guy who grew up on the outskirts of London. I have smoked in the past and it's around and I find myself quite average in that way. So I felt like I could do this project and ask the right questions.

In the programme lots of people were willing to open up about their relationship with cannabis and talk about it on the telly. Were you surprised by the amount of people willing to be filmed and to be completely open about it?

Cannabis: What's The Harm (cannabis plant)

JAMES: Yeah and initially not only surprised but quite worried for them as well. I was like, why would you come on the TV and do this and talk about this? Why would you admit that you've grown drugs and you've smoked drugs? But through the process of doing it I was actually coming around to the fact and thinking why not? Why shouldn't these people be able to talk about it?' Why should people be so paranoid and so ashamed of something which they feel is not harmful to themselves or anyone else? And that's the question we're trying to answer in the programme - what is the harm of this drug? It's not just physical, it's social and it has an impact on the health system and crime and everything else.

You went to film in California where cannabis is legalised but regulated, how did you find that experience?

JAMES: It was a place I've been to before but I've never seen it in this light before. Cannabis is legalised there for medicinal use which on paper sounds pretty bland. But you go there and it's quite an exciting, passionate community of people that are behind this and I think that they've gone a step in the right direction with how they deal with cannabis. You've got to go to a doctor, get diagnosed, you've got to then go back and go to a dispensary and go through a whole service and process there before you finally get the end product, which is weed. It's not about wanting some weed and you go out and get it from some kid on a street corner. There's a whole education around it and there's a whole culture there. Here it's very underground and I think in that respect harmful.

The fact it's underground here in the UK may lead to some of the most harmful sides to cannabis. It leaves it open to exploitation of certain people, like the guy I met in the second programme who was smuggled into this country just to be locked in a house to grow cannabis. He had no idea what he was being brought here for and even now he is too scared to reveal his identity.

Watch this web exclusive clip of James visiting the world's largest cannabis dispensary:

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You can watch more clips from the programme on the Cannabis: What's The Harm? website.

What are you hoping that people will take away most from watching the series?

JAMES: I think again I can speak from what I got from it and hope that people get the same as that, this idea about education on the subject really. It's not just this little green leaf you buy off the street; this is so much more complex than that. There's all different types of weed out there that do all sorts of different things to your body which I wasn't aware of and I think if you are going to take a drug you should make an effort to find out as much about that drug as possible.

James Alexandrou presents the first part of Cannabis: What's The Harm? tonight at 9pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three and part two will be on next Thursday 3rd February at 9pm. Dana Stevens is Content Producer for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three online.

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Is your Dangerous Pleasure booze? Have a go at the Booze Calculator...

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Dana Stevens | 12:00 UK time, Wednesday, 26 January 2011

As part of our Dangerous Pleasures Season here on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three, this week we've been looking at our relationship with alcohol. The excellent documentary Laura Hall: My Battle With Booze explores the fascinating story of the first girl to be banned from drinking alcohol in England and Wales. There's another chance to watch it tomorrow at 10.30pm or you can watch it now online. And Actress Emily Atack has been investigating our binge drinking culture in Ready Steady Drink which is available to watch online too. ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 1 is also looking at the alcohol issue on Newsbeat with a whole week of special reports looking at booze in Britain. They've launched a Booze Calculator, a simple game which will force to you to look at exactly how much alcohol you are really drinking.

Image from Newsbeat's Booze Calculator

(By the way this isn't the amount I drank!!)

My January detox plans haven't really gone to plan and like most people I don't really know how many units are in a drink. So I have no idea if I'm staying within the weekly alcohol limit recommended by the government: it's 14 units a week if you're female and 21 if you're a man. I thought I should definitely give the Booze Calculator a go.

Image from Newsbeat's Booze Calculator

You just have to put in the number of drinks you've had and it will tell you all sorts of information like how much you spent, the calories you consumed and how long the booze stays in your system. Confessing to a Sunday afternoon in the pub, I thought the fairly moderate amount I'd had with my roast wouldn't be that bad...but OMG! Boy is this a wake up call! Not only did I drink 85% of my weekly limit in one afternoon but that is the calorific equivalent of a slice of pizza, a burger, a doughnut, and two jaffa cakes! And that's on top of the roast dinner I ate!!

Although I'm still pretty shocked by the outcome it's actually quite addictive - I've been putting in various combinations of drinks I often consume! It's scary stuff! Why not have a go yourself and let us know how you get on.

Image from Newsbeat's Booze Calculator

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Dana Stevens is Content Producer for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three online.

It's back! Being Human starts Sunday!

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Dana Stevens | 16:51 UK time, Friday, 21 January 2011

Only days to go until the Being Human crew are back to liven up our Sunday evenings!! And we're a little bit over-excited about it here at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three HQ *takes deep breaths*. So while I try to calm down long enough to tell you about it, have a look at this photo...

Being Human (Paul Kayes as Vincent)

Paul Kaye as Vincent

Recognise this man? Admittedly he does look like a dodgy geezer who'd spin you rather violently on the waltzers...but it is, in fact, comedian Paul Kaye who's guest starring as Vincent.

And who's Vincent I hear you ask? Well I don't know either so we'll have to watch the first episode to find out. And there are more famous faces popping up - there's Lacey Turner from EastEnders and actor, crooner and extreme fisher Robson Green. (What do you mean you don't know who he is? Ask your mum.)

You can watch a clip of Robson Green on the Being Human blog now and there are from the first episode on .

Talking of the Being Human blog, you should keep checking back there during the series as they'll have all the latest behind the scenes news and gossip. While you're there, make sure you check out the brand new super slick Being Human website including Annie's Broadcasts from the Other Side. Be warned they're pretty eerie.

Being Human (Lenora Crichlow as Annie)

Hardcore fans will probably already know there's an online extension of the show called Becoming Human. I was lucky enough to watch a preview this week and wow! It is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!!!!!! *reminds herself to breathe* It's so good - dramatic, clever and really, really funny! I'm not going to tell you too much about it yet as we've asked the Becoming Human director to give us the full lowdown here on the blog next week. It will officially launch on the Being Human website straight after episode two on Sunday 30th January. Trust me it's worth waiting for. And just because it's Friday I thought I'd let you have a little look at the new characters...

Becoming Human (Leila Mimmack as Christa, Craig Roberts as Adam and Josh Brown as Matt)

The cast of Becoming Human.

So all that's left for you to do now is sort out your Being Human viewing party for Sunday night. I've already bagsied the best seat on the sofa, stocked up on tea and biscuits and negotiated full rights of the remote control. Don't forget 9pm Sunday ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three - be there!

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Dana Stevens is Content Producer for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three online.

60seconds Sam: The Cocaine Factsheet

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Sam Naz Sam Naz | 16:20 UK time, Thursday, 20 January 2011

It was once seen as the illegal "drug of choice" for the rich and famous, but a fall in the street price in recent years has helped turn cocaine into the most common Class A drug in Britain. suggest 5.5% of 16-24 year olds took powder cocaine between 2009 and 2010. While use of most other illegal drugs has fallen overall - figures show that cocaine use has actually gone up.

So, why do some people take it and what are the dangers? In How Drugs Work: Cocaine we take a closer look at the drug and follow its journey from the moment it enters the body.

(Warning: This clip contains graphic scenes from an operation.)

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Let's look at what is known about cocaine.

What exactly is it?
The drug is made from the leaves of the coca plant which grows in South America. It comes in two main forms:
  • White powder - often called coke or snow - is divided into lines and snorted.
  • Small lumps known as crack. This is usually smoked in a pipe or tin foil.
Both types can also be made into a solution and injected.

What are the main risks?
Cocaine, especially crack, is highly addictive - experts say users are in danger of developing a psychological dependence to the drug.
  • Some of those questioned in How Drugs Work: Cocaine said they quickly built up a tolerance, so they needed to take more and more to get the same high.
  • The drug affects the heart, making it beat faster and causing blood pressure to rise. Researchers believe the risk of having a heart attack increases dramatically after taking cocaine. It's thought that you're even more likely to have a heart attack if you drink alcohol with the drug.
  • Snorting too much coke can harm the nose. The tissue can weaken and die causing a hole or perforations in the nose to develop - surgery is often required to repair this damage.
What are some of the effects?
, a charity which provides information on drugs, says cocaine is a stimulant which kicks in quickly - but also wears off after about 30 minutes.
  • Users report feeling more confident, assertive and talkative.
  • Scientists say the initial euphoria felt after taking cocaine comes from the release of the chemical dopamine in the brain.
  • Users tend to become depressed, irritable and tired as they come down from the drug.
You can find out lots more about the effects of cocaine on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Health website.

What about the law?
Cocaine is an illegal Class A drug in Britain, so the penalties for having or selling it are severe:
  • Possession - up to 7 years in prison.
  • Supply - you could face life in jail if you're caught selling it.
Both offences also carry unlimited fines.

There's more information, as well as help and advice, on the following websites:

Journalist Sam Naz presents the 60seconds news bulletins on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

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Snog Marry Avoid? Do you prefer fabulous fakery or natural beauty?

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Dana Stevens | 15:08 UK time, Monday, 17 January 2011

Layers of slap, fake lashes and a freshly sprayed tan - it can only be Snog Marry Avoid? I'm sure you all know by now that Snog Marry Avoid? is the show that introduces OTT dressers to the POD (Personal Overhaul Device) to encourage them to have a make-under and embrace their natural beauty. Meet Chantelle Louise who features in this week's show:

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Mmmmm...'classy outfit'? I think I'll leave that for you to decide. Is POD always right? Do people look better after their make-under or better before?

Let us know what you think: do you prefer fabulous fakery or natural beauty? Add your comment.

Snog Marry Avoid? presented by Jenny Frost is on Tuesdays at 8pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Dana Stevens is Content Producer for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three online.

60seconds Sam: The Ecstasy Factsheet

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Sam Naz Sam Naz | 14:58 UK time, Thursday, 13 January 2011

Ecstasy - it's the drug that hit headlines throughout the 1990s when it was linked to the growing clubbing and rave scene. show that - despite it being the third most common illegal drug in the UK - the number of users is falling. Around 4% of 16-24 year olds now take the drug.

But how much do you know about ecstasy and why are some people still taking it? How Drugs Work: Ecstasy follows the effect of the drug on the human body.

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So, let's look at the facts. What exactly is ecstasy?
Pure ecstasy is a man-made drug called MDMA - it's often nicknamed E and comes in a number of forms:
  • It's commonly sold as tablets or capsules, which are swallowed. The pills vary in size, colour and shape - many have patterns or logos on them.
  • MDMA can also be sold in crystal form.
  • The drug occasionally comes as a white powder which is snorted.
What are the risks?
A big problem to note is that E tablets often don't contain any MDMA (or the similar compounds MDEA, MDA or MBDB). Experts say the pills are frequently made up of other substances such as piperazines, amphetamine or caffeine. These ingredients may have their own side effects, but you won't know what they are until you swallow the pill. believes the main risks of ecstasy include:
  • Feelings of anxiety, confusion or paranoia. These are more likely in users who are already feeling unstable and those who take large doses.
  • It affects the body's temperature - increasing the risk of becoming overheated and dehydrated. There have been a number of deaths linked to non-stop dancing in hot clubs after taking ecstasy. While it's important to drink lots of water, users are advised to drink no more than a pint an hour because too much can cause water intoxication.
  • MDMA also increases the heart rate and raises blood pressure.
What are some of the effects?
The drug usually starts to kick in half an hour after it's been taken and some people say they get an "energy buzz" which can last for up to 6 hours.
  • MDMA is a stimulant that increases brain activity. Scientists have found that it causes nerve cells to release the chemical serotonin, which can make people feel sociable and "loved up".
  • Some of the people in How Drugs Work: Ecstasy said it made them more talkative and heightened their surroundings.
  • Users often report feeling flat and tired the day after taking an E - the come down can sometimes last for several days.
You can find out more about ecstasy and its effects on Radio1's The Surgery website.

What about the law?
Ecstasy is an illegal Class A drug in Britain, which means it carries the most serious drug crime penalties, including unlimited fines:
  • Possession - up to a maximum of 7 years in prison.
  • Supply - if you sell it, you face life imprisonment.
There's more information on ecstasy, as well as help and advice, on the following websites: Find out more about the How Drugs Work series:
Journalist Sam Naz presents the 60seconds news bulletins on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

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Writer Tim Dawson on the final stages of making Coming of Age Series 3

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Dana Stevens | 15:37 UK time, Wednesday, 12 January 2011

Less than a week to go now until DK and all your other favourite Coming of Age characters are back on your screens for another riotous series. Balamory! As the writer Tim Dawson revealed here on the blog a few months back you can expect lots of suprises and even a new character.

Have a look at this for more clues...

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As regular fans of the show will know, it is recorded in front of a live studio audience and so we asked the writer Tim Dawson to share a little bit about the last stages of the production process.

I always enjoy the dub, which is when we work on the sound of the show after recording has finished. It's when Ed Bye (Director), Simon London (Producer) and me get to decide exactly how we want the show to sound. Coming of Age has always had a raucous atmosphere, but in the new series we really wanted to push this. So we've left in as much of the genuine laughter, applause, oohs and aahs from the studio audience as we can. This is essential for the type of material I write. Bawdy jokes and visual comedy demand a big reaction, and if you sanitise that you can end up with something a bit flat and unconvincing. I think one of the reasons modern shows are so often accused of using 'canned laughter' is because people get tempted to over process the audience reaction, leading to a generic sound track. Sitcoms are a uniquely theatrical television experience, and I want Coming of Age to celebrate that.

The cast of Coming of Age

Behind the scenes with the cast of Coming of Age

The studio audience aren't just there to make the show sound good on telly however, they're also very useful when it comes to the actual programme-making proper. For me, the pressure of the live show every Friday night forces me to make the script as funny as possible. If I'm sat in the gallery and we go without a laugh for more than about fifteen seconds, I know that sequence needs to be cut down. Unless it's deliberate of course - when there's a moment of genuine drama it can be fun to play with the form and leave things hanging.

The audience at a recording of Coming of Age

The studio audience watching Coming of Age being recorded.

The studio audience is also an important tool for the actors because it forces them to find and time the comedy, and provides them with instant feedback to what they're doing. This means from take to take they might do things differently. Joe Tracini, for example, is always playing with DK's lascivious gestures and crotch thrusting and Ceri Phillips is the master of the impromptu double take. The live show also encourages the actors to give that 'something extra'. Dolly Parton swathed in fairy lights isn't as camp and twinkly as Hannah Job on a recording night. But sitcom acting isn't easy - it takes skill to stop a performance getting too big for the camera and to know when to pause for laughs - we're lucky that Minnie Crowe, playing new girl Robyn Crisp, took to it so naturally.

Obviously I can't wait for you to see the new series - but I can't wait for you to hear it either.

Tim Dawson is the writer of Coming of Age and you can watch series 3 this Tuesday at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

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60seconds Sam: Jaime Winstone on the dangers of oral sex

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Sam Naz Sam Naz | 10:00 UK time, Monday, 10 January 2011

If there's one thing we're not afraid to do here at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three, it's tackle those subjects that some might think of as taboo. So with that in mind, I set off to interview actress Jaime Winstone about...oral sex.

There was a very good reason for my chat with the Kidulthood and Made in Dagenham star, her new documentary Is Oral Sex Safe? looks into the links between oral sex and oral cancer.

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While most of us know that having unprotected sex can lead to STIs, like Chlamydia or Herpes, how much do you know about HPV? Had you even heard of it?

Well, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is common. It lives in the skin and can be passed on through sexual contact. says there are more than 100 different strains of HPV and most of us are likely to get it at some point in our lives. But there's no need to panic. Most people won't get any symptoms and it usually goes away without treatment. So the virus may be common, but the chance of it turning into anything cancerous is slim. The reason why against HPV is to protect them from cervical cancer. The virus is the main cause of this type of cancer and it's believed that the vaccination programme will save hundreds of lives each year.

But researchers told Jaime that the rates of HPV-related oral cancers are going up - and that men are at most risk of getting it - so she's keen for boys to be offered the jab too. Professor Margaret Stanley, who's an HPV expert at Cambridge University, says she's seen a steep rise in oral cancer caused by HPV in the last couple of years. It's estimated that around 700 people are affected a year in the UK and experts say the numbers are rising faster among young adults.

However, the Department of Health says it needs more evidence. The government's director of immunisation, Professor David Salisbury, says other areas of health will suffer if he spends money "irresponsibly". He says they'd have to vaccinate around 300,000 boys every year and questions whether it's going to be cost effective and asks whether it is a good use of money.

You can watch Is Oral Sex Safe? presented by Jaime Winstone tonight at 9pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Let us know what you think? Do you think everyone should be offered the vaccination even if other areas of health may suffer?

Related sites:

Journalist Sam Naz presents the 60seconds news bulletins on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three

60seconds Sam: The Cannabis Factsheet

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Sam Naz Sam Naz | 13:33 UK time, Wednesday, 5 January 2011

Weed, ganja, hash, pot, dope, grass, marijuana...the sheer number of nicknames this drug has should give you a pretty good idea about how common it is. In fact, the latest government figures show that cannabis - despite being illegal - is used by around one in six 16-24 year olds.

But how much do you actually know about it? Do you know what it does to the brain? Why do some people end up hooked? Well, as part of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three's Dangerous Pleasures Season, we're taking a unique look at exactly how cannabis affects the body. With a little help from the latest CGI, How Drugs Work: Cannabis follows its journey through the body from the very moment it's smoked or eaten.

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So, how much do we know about cannabis? What exactly is it?
The drug's produced from parts of the cannabis plant, which is grown all over the world. It comes in two main forms:
  • Hash is a solid lump made from the resin of the plant.
  • Grass is the dried leaves and flowering parts of the plant.

What are the risks?
Getting stoned isn't necessarily the harmless pastime that some people think it is. Cannabis can lead to paranoia and anxiety, and experts reckon using skunk is riskier because it has higher levels of tetrahydrocannabino (THC).
  • THC can lower blood pressure, making the heart beat faster and increasing the risk of a heart attack.
  • Anyone with a history of mental illness is at a greater risk of developing a serious psychotic condition, like schizophrenia.
  • Heavy use can lead to dependence on the drug, which makes quitting harder - sleep problems, mood swings and loss of appetite are just some of the withdrawal symptoms.

What are some of the effects?
The main active ingredient is tetrahydrocannabino (THC). It goes straight to the brain, resulting in a so-called 'buzz':
  • Many users say it helps them chill out, leaving them happy and relaxed.
  • Some of those questioned in How Drugs Work: Cannabis claimed it heightened their senses.
  • The drug is also thought to have medical benefits, mainly pain relief . Some scientists also say it can help relieve nausea in cancer patients who are having chemotherapy.
You can find out more about cannabis and its effects on Radio 1's The Surgery website.

What about the law?
It's illegal to have or sell the drug in Britain. Two years ago, from Class C to Class B. Ministers said they had to make the change because of worries about its impact on mental health. It means getting caught with cannabis carries some serious penalties, including unlimited fines:
  • Possession - up to a maximum of five years in prison.
  • Supply - if you sell it, or even give it away to your mates, you face up to 14 years in prison.

There's more information on cannabis, as well as help and advice, on the following websites: Find out more about the How Drugs Work series:
Journalist Sam Naz presents the 60seconds news bulletins on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three
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