Ozzy Says He Now Believes Pot Leads To Other Addictions

MTV ^ | 07.08.2003 | Robert Mancini, with reporting by Gideon Yago

[presidio9]

Ozzy Osbourne may have weathered the lowest lows that drug addiction has to offer, but the news that his son Jack was seeking treatment for substance abuse taught him a lesson that his own decades of addiction never did.

"I used to think they should legalize pot, but you know what? They should ban the lot," Osbourne told MTV News, addressing Jack's battle for the first time. "One thing leads to another. Coffee leads to Red Bull, Red Bull leads to crank.

"When I found out the full depth of him getting into OxyContin, which is like hillbilly heroin, I was shocked and stunned," Osbourne continued. "The thing that's amazing was how rapidly he went from smoking pot to doing hillbilly heroin."

Ozzy's son entered a California rehabilitation facility in April to battle what was later revealed to be an addiction to the prescription painkiller OxyContin (see "Jack Osbourne Reveals He Was Addicted To Painkiller OxyContin"). Jack also said that he was drinking and using a variety of substances — including Vicodin, Valium, Xanax, Dilaudid, Lorcet, Lortab, Percocet and marijuana — before his trip to rehab (see "Rehab Helps Jack Osbourne Get To Root Of Addiction Problems").

Jack's laundry list of controlled substances made his father painfully aware of just how readily available drugs are. "When I started doing drugs years ago, they were hard to get, but today it's everywhere," Osbourne said. "It's not just America. It's not just California. It's not just Beverly Hills. It's not just downtown New York. It's not just London. It's all over the world" (see "All About OxyContin, The Pills Known As 'Killers' ").

This relatively easy access to allegedly "controlled" substances is especially hard for Ozzy to swallow given his firsthand experience with the damage that drugs can do.

"I'm 55 years old, and I didn't get off scot-free," Osbourne explained. "I have to take medication for the rest of my life because I've done so much neurological damage to my body," Osbourne said.

We'll have much more from our interviews with Ozzy and Jack in an "MTV News Now" special report, premiering Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Jack's complete interview will appear on MTVNews.com when the show premieres). The show will be followed the next day by a repeat of MTV News' "True Life: I'm Hooked on OxyContin" at 6:30 p.m.

[toothless]

There are no bootleggers because there is no profit margin. We were always able to find someone to sell us beer at cost when I was underage.

Beer was harder to get then MJ though, we actually had to find someone over 21 and get them to go to the store. For MJ we just asked the kid in the next desk.

[discostu]

Ain't been in Deliverance country for a while huh? There's still bootlegger. And teens dig alcohol plenty, it's easier to get ahold of (hang out near a liquor store for 10 minutes and you will find someone that thinks the age laws are dumb and will buy booze for you) and the bust is less severe if you get caught.

[lugsoul]

That's it. While it has a lot of competition, that is the most stupid post you have put on this thread.

There are no bootleggers? Well, that's just a false statement. Illegal alcohol sales are incredibly common in places where alcohol sales are illegal. I've bought alcohol from bootleggers. As a minor. I know for a fact that they still exist. You are just wrong. But that will be no surprise to anyone.

Also, your grasp of economics is a bit weak. Explain how these teenage pushers will make MORE money selling a legal substance, which is pretty damn easy to produce, when its current price is supported completely by the fact that it is illegal. What do you think it costs to grow an ounce of weed and get it to market?

Jayef is right. You are a waste of time.

[presidio9]

I thought you were well informed on drugs, and such. This post shows you know nothing. If it was legal, it would be harder to get.....because it would be regulated.

It's sad that small minded people like you are the best the drug crowd has to offer.

Simply put: There are plenty of people who make a living selling drugs exclusively to minors. All legalizing drugs does is make their supply easier to obtain. They probably would not even change the markup they charge.

[MrLeRoy]

teens dig alcohol plenty, it's easier to get ahold of

"teens find marijuana easier to buy than cigarettes and alcohol." - National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, CASA 2002 Teen Survey

[presidio9]

He probably thinks he's scoring big points. Amazing he can even find his keyboard.

I'm not trying to "score points." I'm simply pointing out how childish your logic is.

[ActionNewsBill]

This is just so goofy that I have no response. I simply repeat it for all to observe your complete lack of association with reality.

You have no response because I'm totally correct on this.

If you would think about it, it makes perfect sense.

How difficult is it for minors to acquire alcohol, a legal, regulated substance?

How difficult is it for kids to acquire marijuana?

If you don't know the answer to either question, I suggest you talk to some high-school or college students in your area.

Nobody here wants to see kids taking drugs, as much as you'd like to believe we do. The war on some drugs is doing nothing to keep pot away from kids. And that's an absolute fact.

[MrLeRoy]

There are plenty of people who make a living selling drugs exclusively to minors.

Provide evidence for your claim.

[discostu]

It's those damn video games, kids aren't developing the right social skills.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Thought you might like a pleasant break from debating with these pro druggies.

[Porterville]

So where are the Libertarian pot defenders????

[ActionNewsBill]

Thank you from the bottom of my pro-life heart.

You're welcome....

[Sir Gawain]

A buddy of mine tried to do just that several years back. He consumed between an eighth and a quarter, and got so blasted he couldn't pick up the pipe anymore, but he felt just fine. Although he had quite the hankering for Taco Bell.

I was just teasing. I know you can't OD on weed. Hash is a different story though.

[jayef]

I'm concerned about the destruction of lives (300,000 deaths) associated with access to McDonalds and Burger King. I'm concerned about the destruction of lives (125,000 deaths) associated with access to Budweiser. I'm concerned about the destruction of lives (41,000 deaths) associated with access to automobiles. I'm concerned about the destruction of lives (450,000 deaths) associated with access to Marlboros. I'm concerned with the destruction of lives (200,000 deaths) associated with access to prescription drugs.

[lugsoul]

Jennifer smokes pot.

[MrLeRoy]

Correct, as they'll then have the potential loss of their legal adult market to disincentivize them from selling to kids.

Wrong. There will always be pushers selling to kids.

Can you offer any support for your claim?

[jayef]

Why is this addressed to me?

[AxelPaulsenJr]

To quote LeRoy: Provide evidence for you claim.

[vin-one]

let's try one more time,

forget it......a waste is a terrible thing to mind.

I have made my point over and over to you.
yet, you have nothing to offer.

[MrLeRoy]

I'm simply pointing out how childish your logic is.

You haven't honestly responded to my arguments once---you've only misstated or dodged them.