Drugs ain't dope

I hate the fact that drugs are so closely associated with music.

Drugs killed six people at the Future Music Festival Asia in Kuala Lumpur, with many more being taken to hospital, including a bunch of Singaporeans.

The same weekend that we got this news from Malaysia, there was another incident, in Indonesia. Drugs killed a Singaporean and two others in Jakarta, at a fest known as A State Of Trance.

This is unspeakably sad.

These folks were trying to have a little fun and adventure, and they ended up paying with their lives.

It doesn't have to be this way.

Anyone who loves music should actually HATE drugs.

Drugs have robbed music of its greatest talents.

At the top of the list for me would be Jimi Hendrix, who suffocated on his own vomit while high on barbiturates.

Elvis Presley died on a toilet from an overdose of prescription drugs.

Jim Morrison was alleged to have died of a heroin overdose.

Kurt Cobain shot his own head off while on heroin.

Amy Winehouse died of alcohol poisoning.

Michael Jackson overdosed on anti-anxiety meds.

Whitney Houston died in a bathtub, having overdosed on prescription drugs and alcohol.

The list goes on.

Drugs don't actually have to kill musicians to kill their careers - they can simply rob them of their will to create, or make it impossible for them to get along with their bandmates.

Drugs destroyed The Beach Boys.

Drugs destroyed Fleetwood Mac.

Drugs destroyed Guns N' Roses.

Drugs destroyed The Smashing Pumpkins.

This list goes on.

Some might say that drugs helped make these artists more creative, helped to make them the icons they became.

I say that's rubbish.

DIVINE GIFT DESTROYED

Extreme musical talent is a gift from God, a very special and delicate magic that is corrupted by drugs.

As for those who believe that drugs will enhance their appreciation and enjoyment of music - like those poor people who died over the weekend - they couldn't be more mistaken.

While drugs may offer fleeting moments of fun, they end up destroying everything they touch.

The hippie movement could have remained a powerful force for good if it had stayed focused on music, peace and love, but it was cannibalised by drugs.

It's the same with raves or whatever.

The sad irony is that music itself is really the only drug you'll ever need.