Penthouse Playmate, Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger share common end

Tribute to Jackson, Presley and Monroe in the Phillipines 2009

Drug addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer exempting no one from it clutches. Homeless winos, Hollywood A-listers, corporate CEO’s, scientists, doctors, moms, dads, children, teens, all are reduced to slaves in a spiral descent that finds them hell-bent on destroying their own lives, and often those around them. 

When someone in the general population has a drug problem, mention of it obviously doesn’t move us as much as when celebrities come forward, or are busted either with drugs, or behaving in such a manner as to convince everyone that he/she must be using something. And there have been plenty of them in the past, and present who have admitted a drug problem, as well as got caught. However, the most impact should come from when these people are found dead due to drugs, but that just doesn't seem to deter people from abusing them.

The list below is obviously not exhaustive, but with the total amount of celebrities that have come forward indicating they had a drug problem, it appears as if drug abuse was some kind of prerequisite for, or consequence of stardom. Here is a list of some celebrities that never made it to treatment because of prescription drugs.

Picture of Marylyn Monroe at art museum

• Michael Jackson, died in 2009 (Possible overdose from Diprivan, Demerol and other prescription med’s. Toxicology report still out)
• Heath Ledger, found dead in apartment in Manhattan, died in 2008 (Overdose of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine
• Elvis Presley, found dead on the toilet in Graceland Mansion, died in 1977 (Overdose of Placidyls and Dexadrine)
• Judy Garland, found dead in her bathroom by her husband, died 1969 (Accidental overdose of Seconal)
• Anna Nicole Smith, found in hotel room, died 2007 (Overdose of Klonopin, Valium, Atavan, and Chloral Hydrate, plus others)
• Marilyn Monroe, found dead in room, died 1962 (Overdose of Nembutal and chloral hydrate)
• Dorothy Dandridge, found dead in West Hollywood, died in 1965 (Overdose from combination of Imiprimine – an antidepressant, and painkillers)
• Dana Plato, found dead in Mother-in-law’s home, died in 1999 (Overdose of Vanadom and Vicodin)
• Keith Moon, The Who drummer, died in 1978 (Accidental overdose of Heminevrin, used to wean him off alcohol)
• Rob Pilatus, disgraced Milli Vanilli star, died in 1998 (Overdose of Methadone)
• Paige Summers, 1998 Penthouse Pet of the Year, died in 2003 (Overdose of Codeine and Oxycodone)

   Prescription drugs could be your end

Some of the most famous names in Hollywood occupy the list, and demonstrates that messing around with prescription drugs is nothing to play with. With the rise in prescription drug abuse in America, especially in teens, it is more important than ever to get the message out. We need more treatment centers, earlier drug education efforts for children, preventative intervention included, and parental involvement in teaching kids about risky behaviors because children are 50% less likely to abuse drugs if their parents talk to them often about drug abuse.

For parents, the sirens are blowing to provide your children with information about drug abuse, and its consequences. Too many Americans are at a place right now where there is extreme stress in their lives due to the economy, lost jobs, no money for schooling, lacking medical insurance, and a host of other problems. Using drugs is often a response to the stressors in life. Children, and teens are feeling the pressures just as much as their parents are, if not more.

These kids have even less coping skills than their parents because they haven’t been on the planet long enough to develop any, so they are more prone to abusing prescription drugs. This is not a game anybody can win. Addiction is a master war monger. You might win a few battles, but in the end, addiction will rule your life, and will swat your lights out in the blink of an eye. Just ask some of the people in the above list. Betcha they all answer the same way, with a cold deathly silence.

You can access links on my site to obtain help for drug abuse, and/or access information parents can use to educate their children. This site contains both local and national links to get the information you need. A Partnership for a Drug Free America has an excellent site complete with blogs, newsletters, tips by email, forums parents can join to discuss drug abuse issues/culture, and how to spot drug behavior in your teens if you think they are using. Also, SAMHSA, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, is another excellent site for drug abuse information and links to find help for your drug problem. If you are a resident of Detroit, you can call a 24 hour access line, and get screened over the telephone. The number is 1-800-467-2452. For more information on this go to: www.drugfreedetroit.org. 

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Celebrity deaths by prescription drugs