Rick Santorum weighed in with his thoughts on the death of pop singer Whitney Houston tonight. He called Houston, who apparently died of a prescription drug overdose - possibly combined with alcohol - a " poor example" and said that celebrities with such problems have "a very harmful downstream effect." It is true that celebrities (including politicians) are seen for good or bad as role models but addiction is a disease that kills the famous and the non famous alike. I know. My father died from an overdose of sleeping pills combined with alcohol in 1998.
My understanding is that Huston sought treatment on several occasions. My father, C. Stephen Currie, did as well. He was the child of abusive parents who, like he would become, were alcoholics. His older brother and sister died in circumstances similar to his own years before he would. Treatment works for many - and we should do everything in our power to expand treatment opportunities because addiction is a disease and not a lifestyle choice, as Senator Santorum implied - but it does not work for all. How many in-patient programs did my father participate in? How many 12-step meetings? My father was an award winning television producer and one-time president of NAPTE International. Like Houston, however, his talent couldn't overcome his disease.
Calling addicts a poor example misses the point. There is more that we need to learn about the science of addiction and why some people overcome it and some don't. Researches tell us it has a lot to do with the brain, genes, formative childhood experiences, and trauma that can be experienced later in life.
Flip answers from politicians trying to score political points don't help. Personal choice and responsibility plays a role in addiction - no question, and those who face the terror of addiction still must be held accountable for their actions - but if politicians truly want to be helpful they'll advocate for additional research funding in this area and support programs that do help many people recover and go on to lead productive and happy lives.
I don't judge Whitney Houston. I grieve for her. In her death, I remember my father's. In her face, I see the face of God.
