The family of a young woman who took her own life after taking the same psychedelic drug Prince Harry praised this weekend have joined activists in condemning his comments.
The Duke of Sussex has been widely criticized for speaking in a 90-minute livestream with trauma expert Dr. Gabor Mate had spoken out about his drug use, with some claiming it was sending a worrying message to young people.
Harry opened up about how using cannabis – a Class B drug – “really helped” him cope with mental health issues following his mother’s death.
He also spoke about his “positive” experience with the psychedelic drug ayahuasca, saying it “brought me a sense of relaxation, release, comfort, a lightness that I was able to hold on to for a while.”
But Jennifer Spencer’s family have called his comments “irresponsible” after she committed suicide in 2019 at the age of 29.
Frank Talk: Harry speaks in an interview with trauma expert Dr. Gabor Mate on drug use
Jennifer Spencer, 29, committed suicide after suffering severe psychosis as a result of taking ayahuasca – a Class A hallucinogenic drug
Ms Spencer traveled to Peru for a yoga retreat, where she took ayahuasca – a hallucinogenic drug that is illegal and a Class A substance in the UK.
As a result, she suffered a severe psychosis that led to her taking her own life.
Today her aunt Fiona Chase, 73, said Prince Harry shouldn’t praise psychedelics because they can affect individuals in dangerously different ways.
She told The Sun: “He shouldn’t be speaking positively about this drug. It’s irresponsible because a lot of people look up to him.
“It worked for him, but certainly not for Jenny. As with any drug, people react differently.”
Following Ms Spencer’s death, the coroner issued an urgent warning to the NHS about the drug, saying: “There is a lack of awareness of shamanic hallucinogenic drugs and their tendency to cause or aggravate psychosis.
“Measures should be taken to prevent future fatalities.”
The 38-year-old Herzog was treated by therapist Dr. Mate, an outspoken pro-drug decriminalization advocate who is said to have used the Amazonian plant ayahuasca to treat patients with mental illness.
Harry told him: ‘[Cocaine] didn’t do anything for me, it was more of a social thing and gave me a secure sense of belonging, I think it probably also made me feel different from how I felt, which was kind of the point.
“Marijuana is different, that really helped me.”
Fiona Spargo-Mabbs, who started a drug education charity on behalf of her son Daniel (pictured) after he died aged 16 of an accidental MDMA overdose, described the comments as “worrying”.
Ms Spencer’s family aren’t the only ones affected by the prince’s praise for dangerous drugs.
Fiona Spargo-Mabbs, who started a drug education charity on behalf of her son Daniel after he died aged 16 of an accidental MDMA overdose, described the comments as “worrying”.
“Our work is aimed at under-18s and we’re concerned that this can send a message that makes young people think that drugs are going to help them with really difficult things,” she said.
“It’s a time when many of them are struggling with their mental health.
“The number has really increased and accessing support services is a real struggle as services are incredibly busy.
“Unfortunately, young people are getting the message from somewhere that drugs will help with their problems, and anything that reinforces that is important to us.
“Using drugs as a coping strategy is more likely to lead to addiction than any other motivation because that’s how you deal with something.”
She added of Harry, “He’s been very public about his drug use, which is one thing, but to say it helped him is a concern for young people.”
TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp also criticized the Duke, tweeting: “When you have a huge platform you don’t say a word about using illegal drugs, the trade that kills people.” In his memoir Spare, Harry admitted to using cocaine, cannabis and magic mushrooms and was accused of being “irresponsible” and glorifying drugs.
Ms Spargo-Mabbs, pictured with her husband Tim, said: “Our work is aimed at under-18s and we fear this may send a message that leads young people to believe that drugs will help them with things like this a lot difficult’
Yesterday, pro-cannabis campaigners used Harry’s comments to support their calls for legalization in the UK.
CannaClub said on Twitter: “Definitely time for decriminalization.
“If it’s good enough for our Prince Harry, it’s good enough for millions of people. Listen to the science. Cannabis is good for so many foods.”
Clear Cannabis Law Reform, which advocates for legal cannabis to be available by prescription and licensed adult outlets, also retweeted a link to an article Duke retweeted.
Yesterday a charity Dr. Mate blasted for diagnosing Harry with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) live on air.
The ADHD Foundation said it is “neither ethical nor appropriate to tell someone they have ADHD for the first time in a public interview. It is up to the individual to decide whether to disclose their neurodiversity.
For help and support, call the Samaritans toll-free and anonymously on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.