Celebs pay ‘high’ price for getting lured into the web of the drug world. Is their lifestyle to blame?

It’s Friday night, and Arun (name changed) is ready to let it rock. He’s a college student who spins tunes at the local dive as a DJ to get a little extra bread on the side. He also needs a little extra something to help him feel the music, the vibe, the buzz. And the little white tablets in his pocket will help him appreciate the psychedelic strobes a whole lot better, so he thinks.

The recent incident involving DJ Aqeel Ali, who was arrested after a body search at Dubai airport where 0.4 grams of MDMA (see box) was found in his possession has once again brought to light the prevalence of narcotics within the showbiz scene.

In the not-too-distant past, actor Fardeen Khan was arrested for possession of cocaine. Bangalorebased designer Prasad Bidappa was busted at Dubai airport for possession of banned substances. It may be recalled at this juncture that actor Vijay Raaz and restaurateur Farhan Azmi too were detained at the Dubai airport for possession. And who can forget the sordid drug controversy involving budding politician Rahul Mahajan.

So what is it exactly that makes drugs seem to go hand-in-hand with the showbiz/entertainment scene? Why do people do drugs like cocaine and Ecstasy?

Says a Mumbai-based DJ, "It’s human nature. It’s like how people get attracted to cigarettes and alcohol. Lack of proper guidance and education about these drugs. Also, some people equate trance music with getting high, which isn’t necessarily true."

2blue, vocalist of rock band Vayu adds, "There are people who are on a natural high and for the unfortunate many who don’t get a natural high, they resort to some kind of stimulant to perform better , write better or sing better. Also they read about their rock idols having done drugs and they feel that since the substances propelled them to such heights, it might work for them. Also there’s this belief that in showbiz, you have to be ‘bad’ to be good."

But therein lies the crux of the matter. Dr Yusuf Merchant, President of the Drug Abuse Information Rehabilitation and Research Centre (DAIRRC). "I feel that there’s a lot of unnecessary glamourisation undertaken by the Western media. Look at the cases of Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison in the past. The glamourisation component plays a big part in this. These kinds of stories trickle down here, in India. 20 years ago, serving very expensive scotch at your party meant something big. Now, it’s cocaine. It’s imitation and affirmation of a certain lifestyle. The extreme ends of society seem to have a different set of moral values . Also, they have extremely high stress levels."

And it is these stress levels that designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed feels propels some to make a personal choice to get intoxicated when they can. "It’s a question of personal preferences. Some people use these to de-stress in a highly pressurised environment. At some point it’s also become ‘cool’ to be bad. It’s also a personal choice people make to get high."

Popular ‘club drugs’ Ecstasy or E:

Ecstasy is the common name for MethyleneDioxyMethAmphe tamine, or MDMA. It is a synthetic drug usually sold as small tablets. It is also available as powder and can be snorted or injected. Ecstasy is a stimulant because it speeds up the functions of the central nervous system.

Rohypnol or Roofies, R-2 , Mexican Valium:

More popularly known as the ‘Date Rape Drug,’ Rohypnol produces a sedative effect, amnesia, muscle relaxation, and a slowing of psychomotor responses.

Ketamine or Special K, Vitamin K:

Many people who use the drug report out of body experiences. This is usually reported as a feeling of disorientation and is commonly known as a k-hole .

China White or Oriental Bliss:

A very pure form of heroin, the repeated use of China White can lead to infections of heart lining and valves, skin abscesses and congested lungs.

The article above was found on Google and was published originally on The Times of India