As the world still mourns singer Amy Winehouse and Michael Jackson’s untimely deaths, we receive the news that legendary pop and R&B singer Whitney Houston has also died.
Though Houston’s cause of death is still unknown, there are reports that the singer may have been mixing Xanax with alcohol before stepping into a bath in her hotel room in Los Angeles on the eve of the Grammy’s. Houston was as well known for her breathtaking voice as she was for her checkered past abusing drugs and alcohol.
Jackson, Whinehouse, and Houston were all known to have a history of drug addiction, abuse, and depression. With all of the fame and riches at their disposal it is hard for some to understand how these incredibly talented performers could lose their battle with addiction.
TMZ reports singer Tony Bennett’s reaction to Houston’s death and the solution (some may call unusual) that he offered up at a pre-Grammy’s party. Bennett said, “First it was Michael Jackson, then Amy Winehouse, now the magnificent Whitney Houston. Let's legalize drugs, like Amsterdam, it's a very sane city now."
What was your reaction to Whitney Houston’s passing?
Do you think there would have been any benefit to Jackson, Winehouse, or Houston if drugs were legalized?
We still don't know what the cause of her death was. I think it was very irresponsible of him to say that. Since Micheal Jackson and Whitney Houston were both prescribed the medicines they had. Amy Winehouse died from alcohol poisoning which is also legal. It goes back to Doctors who are enablers.This has ben happening since Elvis and Marilyn Monroe.
wormwood::
on Feb 13, 2012
Whitney and Amy also used illegal drugs. Tony may believe Whitney got a bad dose or accidentally overdosed because of the variation in street narcotics. In that respect controlling drugs would help. When scientists figure out why some individuals crave an altered state, and how to manage it, the drug issue will be more manageable. I wish 50% of the budget spent on the war on drugs was directed toward research.
jemappel::
on Feb 13, 2012
Bennett's comment doesn't make sense...if Whitney's final cause of death turns out to be xanax and alcohol, and jackson's was propofol, those ARE legal drugs - you just need a prescription. I hate drugs...they ruin the lives of celebrities and regular folks alike.
lesh4537::
on Feb 13, 2012
I don't see where the arguement is here. The two are not related. They died of perscription drug overuse not street drugs. But it does make you wonder if making street drugs legal would cause less people to stop using them But in the end it would put the drug dealers on the street out of business since you would be able to go the the drugstore and buy cocaine. There still would be the people out there that would take too much and OD so it's a no win situation.
nursejulz::
on Feb 13, 2012
I believe drugs are addictive, legal or not! Winehouse, Jackson, and Houston are all celebrities. Knowing that, celebrities have a way of getting what they want. Even when it comes to clothing or other perks of being a celebrity, those things are provided to them for a small fee or even free for that matter. And even if they are for a small fee, its not like they are hurting in the finacial aspect of their lives to pay for such drugs. All in all, its a sad situation. I hope never having to experience these acts in my family.
flowergirljax::
on Feb 13, 2012
As much as I respect Tony Bennett's talent as a legendary singer, that was one of the most uneducated statements I've heard on the subject in a long time or if he was suggesting legalization of selling prescription medication over the counter then it was just plain STUPID!! It's a fact now that the number of drug related deaths resulting from prescription "legal" drug abuse kill many more people, NOT from illegal or street drugs. Here's just one article mentioning this fact : http://www.allgov.com/ViewNews/Prescription_Drugs_Cause_More_Deaths_than_Illegal_Drugs_110614
JustRebecca is right, this has been going on for a long time. Anyone can get & stay sober if they truly want to, the thing is they have to be as diligent about their sobriety as they were with their alcohol/drug abuse, whether it be the effort it takes to "Dr. shop" or buy it off the street.
im_real0722::
on Feb 13, 2012
i believe people will abuse drugs and some pass away from it whether the drugs are legal or not legal. The problem is addiction, not the drug itself. THE WAR ON DRUGS should begin with the addicts. It is so sad that so many people, celebrity or not, lose their lives or those of a loved one due to this horrible problem. RIP Whitney, Michael, Amy, Heath, Anna, River, Elvis, Judy, John, Jim, Janis, Marilyn.......
emach12::
on Feb 13, 2012
If you actually do the research and think with the facts rather than an initial reaction...you will see that Tony Bennet is correct. And No...it was NOT an uneducated statement....us Harvard folks know that the war on drugs kills people...MORE than the actual drugs do.
Do the research
emach12::
on Feb 13, 2012
Oh...and that is NOT exactly what he said...he also stated that legal drugs need more regulation.
TMZ??????? REALLY???? ugh
claireelis22::
on Feb 13, 2012
Addicts aren't themselves...the addiction takes over. It won't matter what they are addicted to. Food is legal and people die from obesity daily. Cigarettes are legal and people die from that daily. That being said, i don't believe we should legalize drugs. Making dangerous substances readily available doesn't make sense. If we have a dependent society than maybe we should be looking at why people feel the need to turn to drugs in the first place. Besides if it is true that she was on xanax, it is a prescribed drug that she chose to abuse. no law can change that.
