According to addiction expert Dr Robert Lefever, director of the Promis recovery centre in Richards’ native Kent, there is only one possible explanation for his longevity: “He must have the constitution of an ox.”
.. In his book, he acknowledges that his wealth allowed him to ingest a higher quality of substances than the typical drug user.
But he adds: “I was very meticulous about how much I took. I’d never put more in to get a little higher.
.. “It’s the greed involved that never really affected me. People think once they’ve got this high, if they take some more they’re going to get a little higher. There’s no such thing. Especially with cocaine.
.. “Still, it’s not as though any children are going to think he’s a good example. Just look at him: He’s got a face like a prune’s wallet.”