5 FEBRUARY 2005, Page 50

Q. I am becoming increasingly annoyed by friends and acquaintances

who think it is acceptable to snort coke. At civilised dinner parties, we find increasingly that someone will bring it out in a pathetic attempt to show they are still young and groovy and rather good fun. Living in seedy west London and working with people whose relations have been murdered in turf wars, I am becoming more and more incensed at the irresponsibility of this behaviour by people who should know better but are well protected from the consequences of their actions. How do we deal with this without ruining everybody's party?

Name and address withheld A. Why not play devil’s advocate by blandly proposing a debate — ‘Does cocaine fall under the umbrella of Fair Trade? Could it feasibly be described as an ethical investment?’ Then sit non-judgmentally back and let the snorters arrive at the inevitable conclusions.