Contributing writerWe can assume that due to the use of illegal pain relievers, Chris Benoit, professional wrestler, took his family and his own life on June 22 in Fayetteville, Georgia.
According to a CNN report, he committed suicide after strangling his wife, Nancy Benoit and suffocating his 7-year-old son Daniel. It is said that he committed the crime as an effect of illegally prescribed medicine. Benoit was on the hit series WWE Smackdown.
Dr. Phil Astin, Benoit’s personal doctor, was charged with improperly dispensing painkillers and other drugs. The drugs list included Percocet, Xanax, Lorcet, and Vicoprofen between April 2004 and September 2005. Benoit last visited Astin on June 22 hours before the findings of the family bodies took place.
Dr. Astin prescribed a 10-month supply of anabolic steroids to Benoit, every three to four weeks between May 2006 and May of this year. Benoit was identified as an excessive buyer of injectable steroids, which were found in his home.
Side effects of steroids may include “paranoid jealousy,” which may have been the cause of Benoit to commit such crimes. Toxicology tests on Benoit have not been completed as of today.
The effects of drugs have also taken a toll on U.S. troops in Iraq. The major drug effecting soldiers would be the war itself. Ask any one that has a family member that has returned from war to describe hoe he or she acts. The common answer you would get is that he or she is not the same person prior to departing for war.
So is the war drug more than what television shows us? Drugs are not only injected or swallowed, but may be a form mental illness to cause people to do things out of the ordinary. Does war encourages extreme human rights abuse? It is reported that war often encourages torture and rape according to current research. Drugs can even affect the most disciplined and/or trained citizens.
Recently Al Gore III was arrested and released for possession of marijuana and prescribed dugs, speeding at 100 mph on a San Diego Freeway at 2:30 in the morning. The deputy reported smelling marijuana along with Xanax, Valium, Vicodin, and Adderall. Gore was released after posting he $20,000 bond.
Former Dallas Cowboy offensive lineman, Nate Newton served a federal sentence, for drug trafficking in Louisiana, when found with 213 pounds of marijuana in his possession. He was sentenced to five years. The charges took place on December of 2002. It was a routine traffic stop when Newton and two unidentified women were pulled over.
For the second time, Damon Stoudamire, guard for the Portland Trailblazers, was arrested for drug charges. He was charged in July of 2003. Stoudamire was only charged with a misdemeanor since his drug possession was less than two pounds. He pleaded not guilty and was released from the NBA.
The rise of drug policies took place after the death of Len Bias in 1986. Two days before his death, Bias was just selected the second pick overall by the Boston Celtics. He was a standout player at Maryland University. Bias was only 22-years-old when he died. His death was due to an overdose of cocaine.
For upcoming role models professionals, and athletes, drugs are not the way to go. Drugs will cost you to lose jobs, friends and family members. A suggestion would be, if it is not natural then maybe it’s not for you. Before getting involved with drugs, question yourself by asking if drugs are the right move to make. Do not let drugs ruin your life.
Alonzo Marish is a junior mass communication major from Grambling.