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.

[Xenalyte]

Teachers don't live in the real world? Boy, you're just determined to get your ass kicked, aren't you?

Look. I'd love to discuss with you, but you refuse to provide any backup for your assertions. Without evidence, your claims are as sound as "I did not have sexual relations with that woman."

EyeSpy has provided beaucoup facts supporting our contention. Where are yours?

[presidio9]

Please provide evidence for your implied claim that Prohibition led to more alcohol consumption.

[lugsoul]

"You attributed a quote to me. I never said it."

The first statement is a bald-faced lie. Show me where I attributed the quote to you. You can't do it. And you are such a child that you are going to stick to that position even though it is obviously untrue.

[presidio9]

EyeSpy has provided beaucoup facts supporting our contention. Where are yours?

Please state your contention.

[presidio9]

Yep, this is what drugs lead to.

[A CA Guy]

True, God gave you the "narco plant" which busts illegal drug suppliers, dealers and users from within.
Very good point, thanks.

[presidio9]

Go back and read the quote yourself. I don't have time. It is you who is lying, but I forgive you. The drugs have effected your mind.

[presidio9]

No, I know where they are approporiate. When you use them the way you do, you sound like a nerdy weakling desperate to convince those around him of his intelligence.

[Xenalyte]

We contend that marijuana is not a gateway drug. See post 884. We further contend that marijuana does not harm the brain. See the thread you keep ignoring.

[presidio9]

hey, whatever floats your boat.

bump

[RockyMtnMan]

Drug users logic: When drugs are legal, less kids will use drugs.

Drug Warriors logic: When drugs are illegal, less kids will use drugs.

[presidio9]

fWe contend that marijuana is not a gateway drug.

For you, maybe. There are some who use heroine responsibly too. So what?

we further contend that marijuana does not harm the brain.

This is because it already has.

[Xenalyte]

Do you plan to ignore the thread to which I have pointed you four or five times?

[presidio9]

When drugs are illegal, less kids will use drugs.

Exactamundo! See? Was that so hard?

[Xenalyte]

If people can use heroin responsibly, and some can, then yes, they should be allowed to do so.

Bear in mind, though, that heroin can kill in and of itself when one ingests too much. That cannot happen with weed.

[RockyMtnMan]

Both are equally absurd, drug use among teens has gone up not down during the WOD.

[Xenalyte]

Drugs are illegal now, you moron, and the facts cited by EyeSpy (I think) show that teen drug use is on the rise.

[lugsoul]

"But I do know where such gems as "pot was never legal, "we don't put kids in jail for smoking pot," and alcohol is not a drug" came from."

There is the quote which you claim attributes the statement "pot was never legal" to you. It is in reply to the following statement from you:

"You mean like the idea that less kids will smoke pot when it is legal? I don't remember me or Axel saying that!"

Anyone with an ounce of self-respect would recognize that they had made a false charge and retract it. You, on the other hand, are just a liar with no honor.

[presidio9]

Do you plan to ignore the thread to which I have pointed you four or five times?

Prety much, yeah. I'm only one man, responding as quick as I can. Plus I've got this self-righteous celebrity-impersonator former school teacher correcting my grammar free of charge.

[ActionNewsBill]

Less kids are doing drugs because they are illegal. That's all I need to know.

And you've just summed up your entire argument...."That's all I need to know". You have posted zero facts, zero links to data that would support your position, and you berate those that do post documented facts and educational links.

Face it pal, you have absolutely no credibility on this thread. Yet you still believe you are winning the debate. You're like a 3 year old.

Its not too late to call in for reinforcements.

I'm sure you could ping Dane, Jihad, Roscoe and the rest of the drug warriors to help you out.

I'm starting to really feel sorry for you dude. Please get some help.