Heroin and Young Pop Culture Musicians
Heroin related deaths and arrests among young pop culture musicians has not been this
visible for decades. "We observe pop culture making this drug- which is very lethal-look
glamorous and chic," says Ginna Marston of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America (54).
For example, according to Karen Schoemer's report for Newsweek, Kurt Cobain of Nirvana,
Shannon Hoon of Blind Melon and Jerry Garcia of Greatful Dead, all participated and
abused heroin (54). Kurt Cobain took his own life with a shotgun, while battling his
heroin addiction. Also, Shannon Hoon overdosed on cocaine while he had recently tried to
kick his heroin habit. In addition, Jerry Garcia who had been a drug junkie for years
died in a rehabilitation center while trying to come clean from drug use. However, Scott
Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots, David Gahan of Depeche Mood and actor Robert Downey, Jr.
were all arrested for possession of heroin and other illicit drugs (54). Weiland was
busted on heroin and cocaine possession in May, 1995 (54). Furthermore, Gahan was
arrested for drug possession after an overdose on heroin and cocaine (54). In addition,
Downey was arrested when officials found heroin, crack, and cocaine in his car after he
was pulled over for speeding. He plead not guilty to the charges and was sentenced to a
mandatory rehab program. Downey on June 28, 1995 walked out of the drug treatment
facility, but later turned himself in the next day (54). Heroin is very much in back and
has become a major trend and a way of life for the pop culture life style.
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