Numerous celebrities have perished due to the opioid drug epidemic in the United States. It remains important that the public becomes aware of the effects of the illegal consumption of drugs and the abuse of the medication.

Deaths in the United States related to overdoses have dramatically increased in the past fifteen years, with more than 115 people dying daily due to the excessive consumption of prescription opioids (NIDA). According to The New York Times, “The first governmental account of nationwide drug deaths shows that roughly 64,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2016.” The number of deaths is presumed to continue with an exponential growth. Both heroin and fentanyl are major contributors to the increased number of deaths.

On September 7th,  rapper, singer, and record producer Mac Miller was found dead in his Studio City home due to an overdose; he struggled with substance abuse for years. In a 2016 documentary by The FADER, an NYC magazine that focuses on music, Miller explained that drugs became toxic in his life. In his Los Angeles home, he became lonely so he resorted to drugs as an antidote. “Overdosing is just not cool, there is no legendary romance. You don’t go down in history because you overdose, you just die,” stated the American rapper. He did not encourage the use of drugs, and he was aware of the change needed in his life. He described this in his song “Self Care” that he was no longer looking to please others as he was prioritizing his well being.

With the recent death of Mac Miller, it is important to remember other celebrities that passed away due to an opioid addiction:

• On April 21, 2016, Prince, who suffered from opiate addiction, had an accidental fentanyl overdose that led to his death as he ingested large quantities of Vicodin pills.  
• Whitney Houston was found dead due to an accidental drowning in her bathtub on February 2012. The toxicology results revealed that there was cocaine, marijuana, Xanax, Flexeril, and Benadryl in her system.
• In August 1962, Marilyn Monroe was discovered lifeless in her Los Angeles home. The prescription drugs used to treat her depression were scattered around the room.

With increased deaths due to the epidemic crisis, it is significant that society is aware of the long-term effects one undergoes when they become addicted to opioids.