• While the investigation into Liam Payne’s tragic death is still underway, it underscores the pervasive struggles of addiction faced by both celebrities and society at large.
• The dangers of narcotics illustrate how Islam offers a comprehensive framework for the betterment of society.
Internationally renowned singer and former member of One Direction, Liam Payne, has tragically passed away at the age of 31, under circumstances that remain somewhat mysterious. An investigation is currently underway to determine the details surrounding his death. Local police said Payne had fallen from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday evening.
Pablo Policicchio, a spokesperson for the security ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, said police were called to the hotel where Payne was staying, in response to an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol”.
Payne who had posted on Snapchat hours before his death, and in one video with his girlfriend where they were both conversing said, it is a “lovely day here in Argentina”. “Just enjoying coffee and breakfast, even though it’s like 1pm,” he said. “Literally sleep in every day until like 12. We’re such losers.”
Liam Payne Opened Up About His Struggles with Mental Health, Addiction, and Sobriety Challenges Prior to His Passing
Payne reflected on hitting “rock bottom” during his time in One Direction in a 2021 interview on The Diary of a CEO podcast, where he candidly addressed his battles with alcoholism and suicidal thoughts.
“I was worried how far my rock bottom was going to be. Where’s rock bottom for me? And you would never have seen it. I’m very good at hiding it. No one would ever have seen it,” he revealed. He further elaborated on his struggles with alcohol, noting, “The problem was… the best way to secure us, because of how big it got, was to lock us in a room. And, of course, what is in the room? A minibar,” he said. “At a certain point, I just thought, ‘Well, I’m going to have a party for one,’ and that just seemed to carry on throughout many years of my life.” His struggles with drinking resurfaced amid the pandemic, a period of isolation he described as “the worst thing in the world for me.” He shared, “It was just getting earlier and earlier. Easier and easier to go to. What I’ve found more than anything with the alcohol and stuff is boundaries. There were no boundaries. So, if you’re on Zoom you quite easily hide that you might be a little bit tipsy at the point you shouldn’t be,” he acknowledged, adding that the lockdown led him to “put on so much weight” and concoct an elaborate excuse. “I had a lovely phone call from Harry the other day. He was checking in on me. It’s almost as if some people have got a sixth sense about when you’re going through something and want to check in,” he reflected.
Alcoholism and Narcotics: Their Societal Implications
In a study conducted at the University of Oxford, titled ‘The Drunken Bum Theory of Domestic Violence,’ data was collated from 6,002 households. The study posits that alcohol consumption contributes substantially to wife beating. It concludes that male perpetrators of domestic violence often blame their actions on being intoxicated, framing it as a situational rather than a habitual issue.
A 2023 study reported how 40% of the cost of binge drinking is paid by the federal state and local governments in the USA. These include: loss of workplace productivity. Healthcare costs, and car crashes. $28 billion is spent each year on alcohol-related health care; The criminal justice system is $25 billion. Furthermore, children with an alcoholic parent are more likely to experience psychological problems.
Another study assessed the impact of 4,000 Marijuna users. Adult were tracked over 25 years until mid-adulthood. The study found adults who were persistent users of marijuana had lower test scores on verbal memory.
Marijuana is therefore far from the ‘harmless natural plant’ that some claim it to be
In addition, persistent marijuana use starting in adolescence was associated with a loss of an average of 6 or up to 8 1Q points measured in mid-adulthood.
Furthermore, regular cannabis use and schizophrenia are associated, and users are 5 times at a greater risk of developing psychosis.
Moreover, The Office of National statistics found drug deaths in the U.K. are on the rise, 4,589 are related to drug poisoning in 2021. This was 6.2% higher than in 2020.
Hollywood Doctors or Drug Dealers?
Numerous Hollywood doctors have been found to exploit the vulnerabilities of celebrities struggling with addiction and suicidal tendencies.
Dr. Murray for instance- still awaiting canonization but now the head of his own medical institute—repeatedly administered a powerful general anesthetic to Michael Jackson, enabling the singer to escape his relentless insomnia. However, after one of these doses tragically claimed Jackson’s life, Murray served time for involuntary manslaughter.
Following Matthew Perry’s death, the Friends actor was found deceased in his hot tub last year, prompting a police investigation. Among the five individuals now facing charges are two medical doctors, along with Perry’s long-time personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, whom prosecutors allege injected him with ketamine three times on the day of his passing. Evidence reveals that these doctors mocked Perry in messages while determining how much to charge him for off-label drugs funneled to him through high-end dealers. “I wonder how much this moron will pay?” Dr. Salvador Plasencia wrote to fellow physician Mark Chavez. “Let’s find out.”
In another message, Plasencia expressed his desire to become the actor’s “go-to for drugs.” Perry reportedly spent $55,000 on ketamine—a sum vastly exceeding the drug’s actual value—in the month before his death. It was Plasencia who instructed Iwamasa on administering ketamine, having previously injected Perry himself, once in a parking lot and again at home, where he allegedly administered a dose that caused the actor to “freeze up.” He casually remarked to the assistant, “Let’s not do that again.” After Perry’s death, efforts to cover up the circumstances began.
Narcotics and the Human Condition: How Islam’s Guidance Protects Society
Many criticise Islam for its strict prohibition on narcotics, yet one undeniable truth remains: human beings cannot always be trusted. As Payne himself reflected in his interview, the consequences of unchecked indulgence are often profound and lasting. Moreover, narcotics pose a significant hindrance to society. This illustrates how Allah, our Creator, understands us better than we understand ourselves. And it emphasises how Islam serves as a comprehensive way of life, providing a framework for the betterment of society.
