I was saddened to hear the news of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s unexpected death today; it made it worse to learn that he died with a needle sticking in his arm. There is a part of me that thinks, “What has come of us as a society with so much drug addiction everywhere?” We have a national health crisis in process if one considers the widespread use of Meth, heroin and crack cocaine in our country, as well as abuse of prescription medication. One article I read from the National Institute of Health used the word “epidemic.” Philip Seymour Hoffman apparently had been open about his drug use earlier in his life, but had remained clean for 20 years. Then last year he went for 10 days to rehab for heroin addiction. Whatever the circumstances were for that very short treatment program, the ultimate result of Hoffman’s addiction is tragic. We have lost yet another talented actor to a drug overdose, and Hoffman’s partner of 15 years and their three children are left to mourn.
May light perpetual shine upon Philip Seymour Hoffman. May those who were the closest to him be comforted in their loss. May we all recognize the tragedy of addiction, and work hard to fight our pain without the abuse of chemicals.
We are sometimes abruptly reminded about the brevity of life. Today we were given one of those reminders. May we all strive to live a little healthier in loving memory of this man.
Comments