Reading about Tatum O' Neal, does anyone else have this reaction about celeb drug arrests?

[kay1864]

If I read "____ arrested for cocaine possession", I think, Ah geez, another celeb got caught doing coke.

If I read "____ arrested for crack cocaine possession", I think, Dang, someone's got a serious problem.

I mean, yeah, both are addictions, but it seems like coke is something someone can conceivably do recreationally (and of course get caught at), whereas if you're smoking crack, you're definitely an addict, no "recreational" about it.

And I gotta admit, the image of Tatum O' Neal smoking a crack pipe is a lot less Hollwood-classy that Tatum O' Neal snorting coke off of a mirror.

Just seems more sordid. And depressing.

[Shell Beau]

1. Crack does seem to be the next step down.

[nomorenomore08]

2. I agree, but I think societal perception of the two drugs also has to do with it.

Crack was condemned as a public menace in a way that plain old coke never was, with ridiculously draconian sentencing laws into the bargain. In terms of generating mass hysteria crack was the crystal meth of the 80's, or rather, crystal meth was the crack of the 90's.

[XemaSab]

3. I kinda get the same vibe

I know a few people who have managed to use crack recreationally, but I also know a couple people who have become hardcore addicts who have done some pretty f***ed up shit.

I think there's a line that most recreational drug users don't cross, and crack and heroin are on the other side of that line. They've got bad reputations for a reason. :(

[Starbucks Anarchist]

4. When they go to rehab instead of jail like a poor person would...

Then I get pissed off.

For the record, I don't think anybody should go to jail for using drugs. It's a health issue, not a criminal one.

[eyepaddle]

5. I'm with you--especially the part about the health issue, as to the OP,

well, I'm aware that mostly the difference between powder and crack is mostly perception, but then I kinda have the feeling that the "Hollywood" way to do coke would be to buy a large amount of powder and then just free base it yourself. Buying crack just sounds like you are in a gigantic hurry (AKA desperate).

Addiction is a bummer no matter how you slice it.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

6. They need to end the BS crack-cocaine sentencing disparity.

http://www.nlada.org/DMS/Documents/1152120591.08/

Five grams of crack gets you five years, FIVE HUNDRED grams of cocaine gets you the same.

[Pierre.Suave]

9. Amen

Enough with the double standards!

[MonkeyFunk]

7. yeah

In my experience, there are plenty of people who do cocaine recreationally - once a year or so.

I've never met anyone who smokes crack recreationally - they're all junkies.

[pitohui]

8. i always assume they are addicts

my logic is this: if a celeb, who can be pretty much sheltered and has people to fetch and carry for her, gets caught with a drug, she must have a problem

if it was just one time at a party or some occasional recreational thing, well, there are just too many layers between the celeb and the police for the celeb to get caught

but addicts get sloppy and impatient

i feel the same about celebs caught with pills, they must have a problem, because if it were under control, it would have remained between them and their doctor

so it doesn't matter to me what the drug is


the same w. drunk driving, if joe average gets first time DUI, ok, i believe it's always possible joe average may have just had too many at a party and had no other way to get home, but a celeb always has drivers and friends and hangers-on and endless money for limos and cabs, so if a celeb STILL manages to screw up and get arrested, i think maybe they have a real drinking problem and need to seriously get help

[Rambis]

10. No surprise, celebs are looking for approval

that they didn't get at home or feel they don't get in general. they don't get approval they turn to things like drugs, drink etc- that is my view anyway- Fair play to em, I wouldn't want to be one.

[Westegg]

11. If it was me, it wouldn't have made CNN...

...so I have to say I feel very bad for Tatum. Hard enough to deal with this shit in your own life, let alone splashed across the headlines instantly.

[Darth_Kitten]

12. Read her book............

I feel sorry for her.....never had any real kind of childhood, and a bad marriage to a control freak dick.
I think she has a lot of pain in her life, she doesn't strike me as openly doing drugs to be a part of the Hollywood party scene.

Her background was nothing but dysfunctional, I hope she can overcome her demons.