Still, no smoke without fire.

Sure, everyone is entitled to privacy but as a world famous pop musician, Richard has indeed forfeited some degree of his own privacy. Head above parapet time. Anyone that might have seen Richard using drugs and were later asked by some journo whether they had witnessed such usage might naturally say, yes they had seen Richard snorting coke, smoking a joint, popping some pills or getting mashed on booze.

My argument is not so much a call to respect his privacy - as a wholly disinterested party, I would - but to question who the hell really cares? If the rumour of his drug use is found to be true, whether current or in the past, how surprised would anyone be? How worried?

If it adversely colours someone's opinion of Rick, whether they stop or start buying music which includes him, how hurt will he be when next he sees his royalties cheque?

Laughing all the way to the bank, as they say.

I got a silver spoon on a chain,
Got a grand piano to prop up my mortal remains...