Oxford drugs picture ‘unreal’

Press, 18 June 1986, Page 10

Oxford drugs picture ‘unreal’

NZPA-PA London Viscount Althorp, brother of the Princess of Wales, said the picture that had been painted of drug-taking at Oxford University was unreal. “The drug-taking people are such a small community. Ninety-nine per cent of Oxford students cannot afford drugs. “Most are worried where their next cup of coffee is coming from,” he said in a television interview yesterday. Viscount Althorp, a 22-year-old Oxford undergraduate, was a friend of Olivia Channon, who was found dead after a party last week. “It is unreal the picture that has been painted over the last couple of days about Oxford,” he said. He had been to many parties at Oxford and had never seen any drugs. “I have never been offered them. I have never taken drugs in my life. There are a lot of pressures on Oxford

students, but drug-taking just doesn't enter into anyone’s thinking. "The press is keen on a particular image and there is anger at the way Oxford is being portrayed and it’s just such an unrealistic picture. I can’t stress that enough. "People want to see Oxford as ‘Hooray Henries’ swimming in champagne and it’s not true.” His reaction had been of "total shock” when he heard about the death of Miss Channon, daughter of the Trade and Industry Secretary, Paul Channon. He had spoken to her the day before and had sat a short distance from her during the history exam. He had not taken a lot of notice of her but she had appeared to be perfectly normal.

He had not known Olivia very well, Lord Althorp said.

Miss Channon was found dead in the study of Count von Bismarck’s rooms in the Blue Boar building at Christ Church.