Under-fire Lily Allen has backtracked over her controversial comments about drugs - insisting she does not condone substance abuse.

The Smile singer sparked criticism from anti-drugs campaigners this week after she was quoted as saying the issue is "sensationalised" and that she knows people who "take cocaine three nights a week and get up and go to work everyday, no problem".

But the British star has now issued a statement insisting it "terrifies" her to see people high on drugs.

A spokesman for the singer says, "Lily Allen would like to state unequivocally that she does not condone illegal drug use and has every sympathy with individuals and families whose lives have been blighted by drugs."