Katy French

[Lionel Ritchie]

was really hoping this was not the case, but it really angers me that 2 people have lost their lives in this way. Just so selfish, do they not think how their actions can affect their families
very sad, hope it puts young people off, but probably not

I agree that it's very sad GT to see two young people who should've had long lives ahead of them heading for the grave -but the selfish angle is no worse than with any other substance abuse. You only have to read the "Your drunk stories" thread here to see any number of instances where individuals (myself included) narrowly avoided getting a toe-tag.

People tend to think they're bullet-proof on pretty much any drug.

[superfrank]

Just so selfish, do they not think how their actions can affect their families

I don't think it's selfish. It's down to the person themselves to do the drugs and they're hardly thinking about their families at the time.

I just heard on the radio that the second Waterford guy died. It's very sad that these three people have died in such circumstances. I was already put off cocaine by a report in IT a while back, this just reinforces it.

I'll find it interesting to see how the tabloids portray these three deaths over the next few days. Will they publicly criticise Katy French's drug use and vilify her, like they did to Kate Moss? Or will they go with an approach that suggests "she didn't know what she was doing"?

And how will they portray the two Waterford lads? Will they get as much press as Katy French?

very sad, hope it puts young people off, but probably not

The photos of George Best on his deathbed hasn't put anyone off drink abuse, so I doubt this episode will put anymore people off cocaine.

Imo, what should be done is to hold up these three cases as examples that anyone in any economic situation can be affected by this drug and that the risks are equal for everyone.

[michaelguineys]

was really hoping this was not the case, but it really angers me that 2 people have lost their lives in this way.

Make that 3

http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1208/waterford.html

Tragic

[kingdom hoop]

Every line has a grey cloud.


Excuse the jumbled cliché, it just neatly captures my sentiments; that the silver lining to this cloud is that the media publicity WILL have an affect on the attitudes of some of the takers of the extortionately priced, and extremely unhealthy drug (vis-a-vis its bedfellow ecstasy for eg) that is cocaine. It's very easy to become addicted to coke and because it doesn't alter one's consciousness all that much consumers don't think it could be doing them much harm. Similarly, the day after is a breeze compared to a proper alcohol hangover so in some cases people may look at it as actually being good for them!

More importantly for me though is that the media onslaught should provide a wake-up call to analyse the broader problem of Ireland's addictions generally, with emphasis on the over-indulgence of alcohol, a significant contributory factor in so many deaths, and bad health generally.

I think it's somewhat disingenuous of people to be vitriolic towards people who take drugs when they themselves may have a dependence on alcohol. It's one and the same issue for the most part; relying on substances to fill some self-imagined void. Moderation is acceptable, excess isn't. Education is key in my opinion. For example, the Herald reported that she had taken a mix of pills and coke. If she did then the chances of death are dramatically increased. I don't think many people realise the dangers of poly-drug use. Unfortunately, our Minister for Drugs (something Carey?) seems like a retard, an eyes-to-heaven sort from the 'well whad'ya expect kids, drugs kill' school of thought. People will always take drugs, educate them on how they work and how they may be bad for you, ie respect people, then you'll begin to see improvements. Being snotty and just castigating people is useless. Just good parenting really isn't it?!

[ramsfan]

what a post extremely well written, dead right in all you say

[gilberto_eire]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh48CcSXzIM

right!!!!!

[paul_oshea]

its dave chapelle, the american comedian.

Rick James used to use coke as the reaosn behind some of his strange behaviour!

[anto1208]

Every line has a grey cloud.


Excuse the jumbled cliché, it just neatly captures my sentiments; that the silver lining to this cloud is that the media publicity WILL have an affect on the attitudes of some of the takers of the extortionately priced, and extremely unhealthy drug (vis-a-vis its bedfellow ecstasy for eg) that is cocaine. It's very easy to become addicted to coke and because it doesn't alter one's consciousness all that much consumers don't think it could be doing them much harm. Similarly, the day after is a breeze compared to a proper alcohol hangover so in some cases people may look at it as actually being good for them!

Id say for every 1000 people taking coke this media coverage might make 1 stop for good 3 or 4 stop for a weekend or so (untill they have a few pints).

The rest will pile out the excuses to themselves to make it ok. At the weekend i heard

the mixing drugs excuse ( they took coke pills speed etc)
The they where up for days thursday night friday sat sun .
Even redbull got blamed.

The problem is people that take drugs just dont believe what the goverment tell them why ? because its normaly a load of bull. 1500 people die from lung cancer each year that figure rises to nearly 5,000 with other smoking related deaths , its the same for deaths from drink. thousands die each year from legal doctor prescibed drugs. So a goverment that profits from selling these drugs, tell you not to take the illegal ones that they dont make any money out of its very hard to believe them.

These kind of deaths are totally avoidable through eductation but the goverment still take the "drugs are bad , dont do drugs " approach


Edit :

Just been on the news that there are 2 more guys in hospital in critical condition from coke.

[paul_oshea]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1210/midlands.html

probably should be split but didnt want to start another thread. I said it earlier, but if this is true, there must be some dodgy coke going about at home....

[ramsfan]

its being cut with rat poison and horse tranquiliser ketamine, in all fairness you would go out to the shed at home or the traps at work and sniff the poison , so why in hell would you pay for it and snort it up your nose , fools

[anto1208]

All coke in ireland is cut you will never get "pure" coke the amount of coke in what people are buying is between 7 and 45%, the rest could be anything.

[CollegeTillIDie]

All coke in ireland is cut you will never get "pure" coke the amount of coke in what people are buying is between 7 and 45%, the rest could be anything.

Other drugs in recent years were cut with strychnine and rat poison. What amazes me is some people are sceptical about the pharmaceutical industry, and last weeks programme Prime Time Investigates would give some credence to that. However, they have no problem trusting a Columbian drug dealer......

[anto1208]

Other drugs in recent years were cut with strychnine and rat poison. What amazes me is some people are sceptical about the pharmaceutical industry, and last weeks programme Prime Time Investigates would give some credence to that. However, they have no problem trusting a Columbian drug dealer......

They have no option !

[stiofain]

All coke in ireland is cut you will never get "pure" coke the amount of coke in what people are buying is between 7 and 45%, the rest could be anything.

True. I'm just about to finish a placement at a Substance Misuse service here in England and the stories i've heard about what local dealers have used to 'bulk' up cocaine, herion etc would make your eyes water.
I know its stating the blatantly obvious, but these dealers are unscrupulous beyond belief. If anything, it makes me feel more sorry for people who are so desperate they feel the need to put this rubbish into thier bodies.

RIP Katy French

[kingdom hoop]

Id say for every 1000 people taking coke this media coverage might make 1 stop for good 3 or 4 stop for a weekend or so (untill they have a few pints).

Obviously it's very much conjectural, but I think the effect may be a little more profound.

The Rubicon to be crossed in relation to addictions is acknowledging that there actually is a problem. It usually takes something stark for people to appreciate their problems. A spate of highly publicised drug-related deaths should be such a spur in this case. People are ripe for manipulation through the media, hopefully this will be one of the rare times something good can come out of such gullibility.

[Billsthoughts]

Just like there are still crime gangs long after the Veronica Guerin murder so there will still be cocaine abuse after Katy Frenchs death.

[BaZmO*]

The Rubicon to be crossed in relation to addictions is acknowledging that there actually is a problem. It usually takes something stark for people to appreciate their problems. A spate of highly publicised drug-related deaths should be such a spur in this case. People are ripe for manipulation through the media, hopefully this will be one of the rare times something good can come out of such gullibility.

Nothing will change. We've had all this media hysteria before after the death of Lea Betts after taking E in 1995. There'll be the usual fist shaking and outpour of outrage from the press coupled with initiative after initiative from the government but it'll pass.

Found it interesting that Bertie sent a representative to Katy French's funeral. I wonder will he send one to Kevin Doyle or John Grey's funeral.

[citizenerased]

Nothing will come of it...Wouldnt mind but the biggest joke is, that about 20 times more people die from drink related deaths per year, and you dont see people goin into a frenzy about that. Aswell as that 55 homeless people died on the street in 2007, nothing being done about that either...

They are going over board on the Katy French thing aswell which is very annoying. 9 pages in the Irish Independent about it yesterday..9 pages.... And saying she was 'Irelands Princess Diana'...it was sad but we have to get a grip, at the end of the day she was a coked up glamour model ffs

[paul_oshea]

Found it interesting that Bertie sent a representative to Katy French's funeral. I wonder will he send one to Kevin Doyle or John Grey's funeral.

I didnt want to say it, but ya exactly.

[superfrank]

I hear today 24-year-old from Bray died of a suspected drug overdose and there was the two lads in the Midlands at the weekend just shows that no matter how much hype and coverage Katy French is given, drugs will still be done.