Putting Billy Mays' Cocaine Use in a Greater Social Context

Yesterday, August 7th, 2009, it was announced that cocaine may have been a contributing factor in Billy Mays' death. This came as a shock to the nation that had only recently begun to better know Mays through the Discovery show PitchMen. While Mays' death is a great loss for his immediate family and the greater public, there are some lessons that can be taken from Mays' passing with regard to health, social views on drug use, and public policy.

First and foremost, it should be acknowledged that drug use can have and often does have a negative impact on an individual's health. In the case of Billy Mays, long-term use of cocaine contributed to the heart disease that was eventually responsible for his passing. So yes, the long-term use of drugs such as cocaine can have detrimental effects on one's health, even if the first sign of them comes too late. For those considering experimenting with cocaine, remember the case of Len Bias.

Secondly, individuals can use drugs responsibly. Billy Mays did not die from an overdose of cocaine. He did not have a history of arrests or numerous stays in rehab facilities. We know very little about Billy Mays' drug use because he presumably used cocaine at least somewhat responsibly. Again, this is an assumption, but there is no evidence or history of reckless behavior. So adults - successful adults such as Billy Mays - can use drugs responsibly. Granted, many people use drugs irresponsibly, but not all drug users should be labeled as addicts or ostracized for their drug use.

Thirdly and finally, public policy towards drugs and drug use needs to reflect the fact that drugs can be used responsibly and discretely. Levying heavy fines and imposing jail time on people in possession of drugs needs to end. This is useless, as it does not deter individuals from using drugs and only serves to further clutter the justice system. There is no arguing that Billy Mays was a successful, genuine, and well-loved figure in American culture. Other successful individuals that have used cocaine? George W. Bush and Barack Obama. The assumption that all individuals that possess drugs are going to commit further illegal or dangerous activities is clearly false, and the law should reflect this.

Let me emphasize that I am not trying to turn Mays' passing into an argument for drug use. However, the finding that Billy Mays' death was contributed to in part by cocaine use needs to be considered in a greater social context. It should be recognized that drug use can be detrimental in the long-term and can greatly shorten an individual's lifespan, but that an individual can still be prolific and successful despite being a drug user. Drug use should not be encouraged, but it needs to be accepted that a certain portion of the population will always have a desire to use drugs. Laws need to reflect that this can be done responsibly, and society as a whole needs to come to the realization that a person can be a responsible drug user.

Note: This article is about a very recent event, and due to this, the article may be edited as more facts are uncovered with regard to Billy Mays' passing and drug use.