Last updated at 15:47 25 February 2008

Shall I Smoke Dope? The BBC3 program is to be broadcast this summer (picture posed by model)

The BBC has defended a new show in which a reporter takes drugs on camera to demonstrate its effects.

Should I Smoke Dope? will be broadcast later this year on channel BBC3, which is aimed at 16- to 34-year-olds.

Viewers will see journalist Nicky Taylor injected with THC - a chemical component of cannabis - in a lab at the Institute of Psychiatry. She is also seen taking drugs in Amsterdam.

The BBC said the programme aimed to highlight the risks of cannabis use - but added that Taylor had suffered no ill effects since filming ended.

A spokeswoman said: "In the film, Nicky takes a small amount of the drug over a very short period of time in Amsterdam and also takes part in a medical trial held by the Institute of Psychiatry involving THC injections, in order to fully understand the effects of drugs on her body and reflect on this for the benefits of the audience.

"Before taking part, Nicky fully researched the subject and undertook the trials under supervision, with medical advice.

"Nicky has not suffered any ill effects since filming finished. The film unequivocally highlights the risks of consuming the drug and will be scheduled post-watershed for a BBC3 audience."

The spokeswoman went on: "Nicky Taylor is a critically acclaimed journalist whose approach involves becoming fully immersed in her subject, in order to highlight the risks of potentially dangerous activities.

"Her previous films for BBC3 have included investigations into plastic surgery - in which she undertook surgery - and binge drinking, in which she drank large amounts of alcohol.

"Her approach has proved successful in highlighting important health risks with a younger audience."

Should I Smoke Dope "will investigate the most widely used and much debated illegal substance in Britain: cannabis.

"This is at a time when the Government considers re-classification and many young people don't understand the health risks of the drug, its legal status and are not aware of recent reports of its increase in strength."

But the programme has already attracted criticism.

Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of mental health charity Sane, told the Daily Telegraph: "It is difficult to see what can be learnt from this experiment. Cannabis affects no two individuals in the same way.

"The majority of people may have little or no reaction, even to stronger forms of the drug. But for the 10-20 per cent of those who are considered to be vulnerable, taking it could lead to psychotic illness."