Rex Features

Former Blur bassist Alex James has backed a photography exhibition and campaign highlighting the damage done to Colombia by the cocaine trade.

The UK and Colombian governments organised the event, called Shared Responsibility, in Trafalgar Square on Wednesday. Pictures drew attention to the deforestation and exploitation of child labour allegedly caused by the cultivation of cocaine in the South American country.

James, who made a documentary on the subject earlier this year, was present at the event.

“You know, you canÂ’t tell people not to take drugs, they wonÂ’t listen,” he said. “When you show people pictures of monkeys having their houses destroyed so people can take some more drugs then thatÂ’s more engaging somehow – I donÂ’t know why.

“I think this is an excellent initiative by the Colombian government basically showing people big pictures of rainforests with holes in.”