POP MUSIC: ROCK, COUNTRY, R&B;, RAP, LATIN, JAZZ : STING STUNG:

Normally the paragon of respectability, Sting became the center of controversy in Britain last week after he called for the legalization of the drug Ecstasy in an interview with a Swedish magazine.

“There is a lot of ignorance about Ecstasy,” Sting told the publication. “A lot of people’s deaths have been attributed to Ecstasy, whereas the facts in the deaths were really about ignorance [of the drug].”

He praised the Dutch system, in which Ecstasy users are able to have their tablets tested for purity.

Keith Hellawell, chief constable of West Yorkshire, also chastised Sting: “[He] seems to be under the misapprehension that Ecstasy in an unadulterated form is safe. . . . I get extremely concerned about people who have a strong influence on others supporting the legalization of substances that are likely to kill them.”

Sting remained unrepentant. In a subsequent radio interview he said, “I have no regrets. There needs to be a debate about all this. The situation at the moment is simply not serving young people.”