The BBC has defended its programme Should I Smoke Dope? for showing a presenter taking drugs.

Journalist Nicky Taylor is injected with THC, a chemical component of cannabis, at the Institute of Psychiatry to demonstrate the effects of the drug. Taylor is also filmed taking drugs in Amsterdam.

A spokeswoman for the BBC 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 benefit 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 show, which will be broadcast on BBC Three this year, is aimed at 16 to 34-year-olds and hopes to highlight the health dangers of drug-taking to the channel's young demographic.

"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 BBC Three 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," the spokeswoman added.