Welcome to the latest Entertainment Rant opinion column. Join the debate by adding your comments.

THERE was a time when smoking a joint or injecting Class A drugs between your toes was not only acceptable for celebrities, it was expected.

However, times have changed – drug abuse is not something to brag about and the lives of the rich and famous are less and less private.

With celebrities now enjoying almost God-like status in popular culture, they have a responsibility as role models to their fans.

So when Lady Gaga admitted this week that she still uses cocaine 'occasionally', I wondered whether that was such a great idea.

Her honesty is refreshing but it seems a tad hypocritical to then tell her fans not to do the same.

At least she's not moaning about how hard her life is now she's a success and why Pete Doherty made her do it.

It's a bit like when celebrities start crying about the trappings of fame, despite practically scratching at the doors of every paper and magazine in the world, begging for a moment in the spotlight.

But should we really be surprised that the queen of kookiness is dabbling in narcotics? From her collection of face furniture down to her strange penchant for drinking pots of tea by the pool side, Gaga looks like a flashback from a particularly bad LSD trip.

In a way, therefore, she is the perfect deterrent for youngsters deciding whether to take their first pill. Take drugs and you'll end up with a telephone on your head and machine guns for nipples.

This column in no way reflects the official position of News Shopper or its parent company.

Do you think celebrities have a responsibility to be role models to young people? Do you get sick of hearing stars moaning about the pressures of fame? Add your comments below.

Check News Shopper's website every lunchtime for a new daily opinion column. Wednesday is a reader's rant, Thursday will cover a moral issue. Friday is sport, and Monday is back to the Shopper Rant on a topical news story. Be sure to have your say if you agree or disagree with what you read.