Heath Ledger's Tragic Overdose Death And What Can be Done To Prevent Others

Heath Ledger's haunting role as the Joker in the Dark Knight will hit the screens nationwide this weekend. The critics have been raving about Heath's "dark" Joker performance and there is already buzz that he might win an Oscar for the role posthumously.

Until very recently, I lived down the block from Heath Ledger and his wife, Michelle Williams, in Brooklyn. I found myself hit hard by the news of Ledger's accidental overdose death and continue to be disturbed every time I see photos of him, either out of costume or in his role of the Joker. I often used to see Ledger and Williams walking around the neighborhood with their young daughter. It is heartbreaking to think about that young girl never again being able to spend time with her father.

While tens of millions now have heard of Heath's tragic death, far fewer are aware of America's overdose epidemic. Accidental deaths from illegal and increasingly from legal drugs have doubled in the last decade. An estimated 22,000 Americans died last year alone from accidental overdoses, second only to motor vehicle accidents. More people died of accidental overdoses in New York last year than from murder. Yet our government spends not a single federal penny on overdose prevention!

Fortunately, some states are taking the initiative and deciding to do something about these preventable deaths. Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Boston and other cities are starting to make available Narcan, an opiate antagonist that immediately and reliably reverses drug overdoses and saves the lives of drug users. This life-saving medicine has already saved thousands of lives and returned loved ones to their families and friends.

Another way states and elected officials can save lives is by passing "911 Good Samaritan" immunity legislation. Most overdose deaths happen in witness of others. If someone calls 911 right away, most people can be saved. Tragically, too many people don't call 911 because they fear arrest and prosecution for drug law violations. This leaves people in the situation of deciding between saving a life and keeping themselves from being arrested.

New Mexico broke ground last year when the State legislature passed and Governor Bill Richardson signed the first "911 Good Samarian" law that provides immunity from arrest to witnesses of overdose who summon emergency services. It should never be a crime to call 911 to save a life. Now New York, Maryland, California and other states are considering similar legislation. In June, the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) adopted a resolution that sets forth a comprehensive strategy for cities and states to reduce overdose morbidity and mortality by supporting local programs that distribute naloxone directly to drug users, their friends, families and communities and urging state governments to adopt emergency "Good Samaritan" policies. Adopted resolutions become the official policy of the USCM, which speaks as one voice to promote best practices and the most pressing priorities of our nation's cities.

There is nothing we can do to bring back the life of Heath Ledger. But we can learn from the tragedy and pass compassionate and sensible legislation to save thousands of others like him.

Tony Newman is the director of media relations for the Drug Policy Alliance (www.drugpolicy.org)

Comments

[thatvisionthing]

End the failed war on drugs and let people depend on their own judgment. That's one way to get real and sane and reasonable.

[AdV2k1]

Everyone needs to do their part, to not do drugs and to make sure drugs are not given to the wrong hands.

I hate to say it but Ledger "WAS" a great joker, I much rather say "IS" a great joker. RIP Health, your the man.

[cinemaven]

Sorry but I have to disagree... there is no amount of legislation that can end this willful abuse of prescription drugs. Ledger didn't accidentally overdose, he overdosed. He was a reasonably intelligent person and, as such, he knew that taking 6 different prescriptions at the same time would presumably end in trouble. Even if he wasn't trying to die, he certainly wasn't trying to not die.

I'm sad at the loss of this talent but I think, rather than calling for legislation, we should stop excusing deaths like this one as accidents. Any teen reading about Ledger's death is given the wrong message when it's called an accident... that might lead them to believe that most of the time when you abuse prescription drugs nothing bad happens...

[RobertAndropolis]

The NY coroner revealed there were six (6) drugs in Mr. Ledger's system:

- Oxycodone
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Temazepam
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Doxylamine (antihistomine, sedating, for sleep)

The coroner lists the cause of death as "poly-drug intoxication leading to respiratory arrest." He further stated no doctor would ever prescribe this combination, and that Ledger was not using the drugs for pain management but as intoxicants.

Point being, this was not a case of somebody accidently doubling-up on their meds.

Ledger had reported he prepared for his role by checking into a hotel for a month of solitude, getting into the Joker's head, even writing a Joker diary. During the filming of "The Dark Knight" he was having trouble sleeping, maybe two hours a night at times. His co-stars are denying his role as the insane Joker had anything to do with his death. Gary Oldman said he was fine, laughing between takes out on the curb in Chicago with him. But really, how do they know what he was going through? And, if you think you're going over the edge, you don't tell anyone, you hide it. You act normal. A talented actor like Ledger surely could pull this off.

Prescription drugs are becoming the most abused drugs of choice for high schoolers. As throngs of high schoolers pour out from the showings of "Dark Knight" perhaps they might reflect, after the buzz of excitement finally fades, just what killed Heath Ledger. Maybe next time...they'll

[StephenJK]

I can see the complete immersion into this role wreaked havoc on his psyche. He completely sacrificed himself to the perfection of this role, it sounds like.

[apoyo]

Until we the people stop using drugs as crutches no amount of legislation or good Samaritans can help us.

Parents take their children to the pediatrician with a simple cold and expect to leave with a prescription.
Time, rest and fluids is no longer good enough. Not when the day care won't accept the child and Mom will get into trouble for missing work. When junior acts up in school as most will, the first response is to put him on drugs. Not to challenge and direct his energy but to suppress it.

Then they become people who can't cope with day to day problems and who reach for the medicine bottle, the liquor bottle, the beer bottle or the pack of cigarettes. These things are never the answer and serve only to lead to larger problems, illness and even death.