TARA CONNER - MISS USA: 'I TOOK COCAINE'

MISS USA: 'I TOOK COCAINE'

Reigning Miss USA TARA CONNER confesses she took cocaine during her hard-partying days, but insists she has put her wild ways behind her as she rebuilds her reputation. Miss USA pageant owner DONALD TRUMP last month (DEC06) told Conner to seek counselling for her drink and drug problems. The 21-year-old has successfully completed a one-month rehabilitation programme, after checking out of the Caron Foundation facility in Pennsylvania on 21 January (07). She says, "(Before rehab) I thought I needed to be around people, that I needed that acceptance. "Cocaine was one of the drugs that I did use. It's hard to look back at that. I was an equal-opportunity (user) - I would try anything once." And now Conner is keen to get back to her pageant duties. She adds, "I just can't wait to get back to work, 'I'm Miss USA, my name is Tara Conner, and I'm happy to meet you,' you know? Life's good."