In the Hot Press drug special…

Something of a landmark issue of Hot Press this fortnight, as we unveil the results of the Global Drug Survey, which for the first time this year included Ireland in its fact-finding brief.

On the cover is Blur frontman turned solo star Damon Albarn, fresh from revealing how heroin helped his creativity. He talks about his experiences with drugs with Olaf Tyaransen, as well as his fantastic debut solo release, London and magic in a revealing interview.

Renowned DJ David Holmes talks to Craig Fitzpatrick about how ecstasy "changed people for good" in '90s Belfast, helping to bring people together from across the Catholic/Protestant divide. Also on the agenda is how clean-living his old muckers Primal Scream are these days and how he "can't work" without marijuana.

The Hot Press Report on the Global Drug Survey itself is an intriguing read, uncovering details about recreational drug use in the country and delivering some surprising statistics about Garda attitudes towards cannabis. UK Police Cief Tom Lloyd explains why the 'War on Drugs' has failed and Stuart Clark recalls Hot Press interviews where the likes of Noel Gallagher, Lemmy, Joe Strummer, Steven Tyler, Amy Winehouse and Layne Stanley discussed their chemical adventures.

Elsewhere, we have chats with everyone from Franz Ferdinand to nicole Maguire, report from Colorado where marijuana has been legalised and, in Critical Mass, review new albums from the likes of Pixies, Iggy Azalea and Imelda May and relive gigs from Tinie Tempah, Palma Violets and more.

Add in a raft of other interviews, all our regulars and much, much more and you've an issue to savour.

So pick up the new Hot Press, available now!