The Troubled Genius of Jimi Hendrix, Bushwick Bill, DJ Screw, Mary J. Blige, Rick James, Ray Charles and more

African-American musicians have made significant contributions to the rich culture of our country and the world. June is Black Music Month, and is dedicated to the recognition of African-American artists who have enhanced our lives through creating some of the world's most treasured music.  

Our musical roots span a diverse means of expression that hark back to the drums and dances of Africa used in rituals and ceremonies.  

When the slave trade began in the 18^th century, spirituals sung by the slaves were more than songs of praise and worship, as they often communicated secret messages about escape routes for runaway slaves and other hidden messages. 

 This music and its altered forms still resonate today from the same place that they began within the artist – a soul tortured by the pain and suffering of mental and physical anguish.  

 Despite successful chart ratings, many of our most celebrated musicians have struggled to maintain peace in their personal lives. Uninitiated admirers of the dazzling lyrics and choreography of Dorothy Dandridge, Tina Turner and Frankie Lymon have been made privy to their personal pains in big screen movies that reveal both the artistry of these performers, as well as their dark spirals of being misunderstood. 

 They were simultaneously lonely, rejected and revered by their country, and reviled by their ethnic brothers for committing that unwritten sin: “making it.” And sometimes they were just plain beaten down by the elusive Cupid, who would aim errant arrows at their bruised hearts. Today we are taking a look at a few of our most beloved artists and their troubled times.

 Jazz 

Charlie “Yardbird” Parker (1920-1955)

 Charlie “Yardbird” Parker is considered the one of the greatest musical innovators of the 20^th century, and a main contributor to the development of Bebop (modern jazz) in the 1940’s. His style of saxophone playing was unmatched and he worked with some of the greatest musicians in the world such as Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonius Monk, Max Roach, and Miles Davis. 

 His career was significantly impacted by the lack of attention to his music by the main stream record labels. Parker’s battle with drugs and alcohol served to further harm him both physically and economically as he was both banned from the legendary 52^nd Street club in New York named after him, Birdland, and also forced him to spend time in rehab for his drug use. In 1954, he attempted suicide after the death of his daughter and died in 1955 from complications of pneumonia at age thirty-four.

 Billie Holiday (1915-1959) 

Billie Holiday is considered one of the best jazz vocalists of all time. She was born Eleanora Fagan, but later changed her first name to Billie after film star Billie Dove.  Billie was discovered in Harlem, and is most well known for her songs that plaintively cry for the pains and suffering of her Black brothers and sisters as they tried to eke out a living. 

 Songs such as “God Bless the Child” and “Strange Fruit” both recorded in 1939, dealt with disenfranchisement from the American Dream after Black blood had been spilled on the battlefields of WWI, and swinging from trees in the inhumane practice of lynching that was not censured but tacitly accepted. 

 Holiday’s successful music career was marred by several arrests for narcotics use and she battled alcohol abuse as well. She spent a year in drug rehab but was unable to shake the evil lure of her addiction. Before her drug and alcohol abuse related death on July 17, 1959 in a New York City hospital, she continued to tour and wrote a biography entitled Lady Sings the Blues (1956), which was later made into the film starring Diana Ross.

 Teenage Pop Star

 Frank J. “Frankie” Lymon (1942-1968)

 Frankie Lymon, portrayed in the movie Why Do Fools Fall In Love by Larenz Tate, was considered one of the first African-American teenage pop stars.  At the age of 13, Frankie formed the group Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers and served as the lead singer.  The group’s debut single “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” was a top 40 hit!  He is given credit for paving the way for and influencing the sound of The Jackson 5, Diana Ross, and Smokey Robinson. 

 Lymon lead a troubled life, however. He left the group after just one year for an unsuccessful solo career, and began abusing alcohol and drugs. At the young age of 26, Frankie Lymon died of a heroin overdose.

 Hip-Hop

 Richard Shaw, a.k.a. Bushwick Bill (1966- ) 

Bushwick Bill, born Richard Shaw in Kingston, Jamaica, is no stranger to traumatic life events. This well-known rapper joined the Geto Boys in 1988 making a name for himself, not because of his dwarfism, but because of his unique voice.  As a member of the Geto Boys and as a solo artist, he wrote and performed on three gold and platinum albums.

 In May of 1991, Bushwick forced his then 17-year-old girlfriend to help him commit suicide by having her shoot him. The attempt was unsuccessful in that he didn’t lose his life, but lost his right eye. Bill is now a Christian rapper, and recently commented on R&B singer Houston Summers after his failed suicide attempt. 

 Houston attempted suicide by jumping from a 13^th floor hotel room while overseas in London. After being restrained by security personnel and locked in his room, Houston gouged his eye out. It was reported later that Summers had been under psychiatric supervision for bipolar disorder, and has an addiction to the drug PCP.  Said Bushwick, “I wouldn’t wish that on anyone else, to force the hand of death.” 

Robert Earl Davis, Jr., a.k.a. DJ Screw (1971-2000)

 Rapper, DJ, and producer Robert Earl Davis, Jr. was born in Bastrop, Texas. As a child he spent time in Smithville, Texas and Los Angeles, California, and began collecting records at the age of five. Davis dropped out of high school to focus on a music career, and in 1989 began his career as a disc jockey. It is rumored that he would spend hours upon hours mastering his trade, working on tapes and developing a handful of artists as he prepared them to perform in local clubs.  

In 1993 DJ Screw became a household name among rap fans nationwide with his album All Screwed Up!  His unique style involved slowing the tempo of songs to half their normal speed or less and mixing it with other music. He would often “screw” music together creating head bobbing beats. DJ Screw opened the Screwed Up Record and Tapes Store in Houston, Texas and a record label. 

 With screw music’s hallucinogenic Hip-Hop style, however, came drug use. Many who listened to the music drank codeine containing cough syrup mixed with soda to “enhance” the effect of the music and their overall experience.  DJ Screw was known to “sip syrup,” and on November 16, 2000 he was found dead in the restroom of his Houston recording studio from a codeine overdose.  

 Rock & Roll

 Chuck Berry (1926-) 

A musician, singer and composer, Charles Edward Anderson Berry is considered one of rock’s most influential and enigmatic figures. Born in a middle class neighborhood in St. Louis, he is given credit for influencing The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. The high point of his career between the ‘50s and ‘60s included over 30 songs that are considered rock & roll classics. 

 In the words of the late John Lennon, “If you tried to give rock & roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry.” With his guitar, he turned country into rock, and forged the way for other greater rock guitar players. Many call him the Father of Rock & Roll. 

 His life, however, was not without chaos.  At age 17, Berry and two friends went on a robbery spree, stole a car, and upon capture he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.  He served three years in a reformatory for young men, and while incarcerated he learned boxing, started a band and singing quartet, and boasted about being intimate with the superintendent’s wife.

 Berry later served two other prison terms - one for tax evasion, and had a run-in with the law in July of 1990 as he was accused of drug trafficking and possession. His estate was raided by the DEA and resulted in the confiscation of marijuana and pornographic videotapes. Charges were later dropped. 

 Berry, now 76, still plays once a month in his hometown of St. Louis at his music club Blueberry Hill in the Duck Room, which is named after his famous “duck walk” that he often performed on stage.

 Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970)

 Growing up playing guitar in his hometown of Seattle, Washington, it seemed as if Jimi Hendrix was destined for fame. He imitated blues greats like Muddy Waters and early rock & roller Chuck Berry. In 1959 he joined the army and became a paratrooper. He received an honorable discharge in 1961 after an injury and came home to start a life-long career in music. Hendrix played backup to musicians such as Little Richard, B.B. King, Ike and Tina Turner and Sam Cooke. 

 In 1964, Hendrix moved to New York to further his career, and was “discovered” by British bass player Bryan Chandler of the Animals. In 1966, Chandler arranged to manage Hendrix, and flew him to London where the Jimi Hendrix Experience was created. The band’s first single, “Hey Joe” hit number six on the British pop charts, and the group became an over night sensation. 

 The Jimi Hendrix Experience made its first U.S appearance in 1967 at the Monterey Pop Festival. Jimi amazed the crowd that evening with his bizarre guitar distortion, feedback, and volume. In that same concert, Hendrix played the guitar with his teeth and set his guitar on fire, leaving the crowd star struck. The group later disbanded, and his performances at Woodstock in 1969 along with his blazing rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” are two of his most memorable moments.  

Sadly, Hendrix’ career was plagued with drugs and alcohol. He used LSD, cocaine, and was rumored to use heroin. In September of 1970, Jimi Hendrix died following barbiturate intoxication and inhalation of his own vomit.   

 Rhythm and Blues 

Mary J Blige (1971-)

 From high school dropout to Hip-Hop and R&B diva, Mary J Blige is the ultimate example of success.  Born in the Bronx in 1971, she eventually ended up in Yonkers, New York living with her mother and sister. Blige grew up in what she describes as a drug-infested, crime and poverty-stricken area, where she was molested at the age of five. 

 Before dropping out of high school, Mary J recorded a karaoke version of Anita Baker’s “Caught Up in the Rapture” which made it into the hands of Andre Harrell at Uptown Records. Four years later, Mary J was dubbed the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” and released her debut album What’s the 411?, produced by Sean Combs. The album went triple platinum. 

 In 1999 Mary J went on a tour sponsored by the beverage company Seagram’s. She recalls always having a cup in her hand, drinking large amounts of gin and grapefruit juice. The drinking led to smoking weed and cigarettes, and eventually to cocaine use that could easily have ended her career; all this to mask the pain of abusive relationships and growing up hard without a father figure. 

 Thankfully, Blige’s strong spiritual background, the death of Aaliyah and an ultimatum from then boyfriend and now husband Kendu Isaacs, saved her. Among her list of accolades are winning three Grammy’s in 2005, several successful albums and a recent tour with Hip-Hop mogul Jay-Z.    

 Rick James (1948-2004) 

James Ambrose Johnson, Jr., also known as Rick James, was born in Buffalo, New York. James was the third of eight children and was raised in a strict Catholic household by a single mother. His uncle, Melvin Franklin, was a vocalist with The Temptations, and may have had some influence on his pursuit of music as a career.  At age 15 he joined the Naval Reserve, but when it interfered with his music career, James went AWOL and fled to Canada to continue playing music. 

 When he returned to the States, he eventually served time. After a short run with his band called The Mynah Birds in Buffalo, he traveled to Los Angeles playing bass for several short-lived bands. In 1977, he started a solo career and debuted his album Come and Get It which included the hit songs “You and I” and “Mary Jane.” 

 James became known as the King of Punk Funk, and released two albums in 1979, and the Grammy-nominated 1981 project Street Songs, which included the hit Teena Marie duet “Fire and Desire.” Street Songs went triple platinum and brought James instant fame. Throughout his career, the singer battled with drugs and alcohol abuse.  In the early 1990’s his cocaine use was out of control, and he spent two years in prison after being convicted of assaulting two women.  

After his release from jail and an attempt at a comeback, Rick James suffered a stroke, which ended his musical career. Thanks to comedian Dave Chappelle, James had a few more moments in the limelight, but his health was poor and he died in his sleep on August 6, 2004.

 The family initially attributed the 56-year-old artist’s death by heart attack to “natural causes,” but the Los Angeles County coroner concluded that a combination of nine drugs likely contributed to James' death. The substances discovered in the post mortem autopsy included cocaine, methamphetamine, the painkiller Vicodin, the anti-anxiety drug Xanax and the anti-depressant Wellbutrin.

 Marvin Gaye (1939-1984) 

Born Marvin Gay, Jr. (the “e” was added later) in Washington, DC, the young and talented singer was exposed to music and mayhem early in his life. His father, Marvin Gay, Sr. was a traveling minister and cross-dresser who often had fits of rage. Somehow young Marvin continued to sing and learned to play drums in his father’s church. 

 Gaye joined the Air Force after high school, only to be discharged after disobeying orders. He returned to DC to continue his singing career with the Marquees and Bo Didley, and later with the Moonglows. It was his introduction to Berry Gordy that catapulted his career. He initially played drums for Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, but his vocal talents did not go unnoticed, and he eventually signed his own record deal with Motown.  

After several R&B hits with Motown, Gaye partnered with the talented vocalist Tami Terrell. The duo was amazing, and recorded hits such as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “You’re All I Need to Get By.”  Despite their happy times, Terrell’s health began to decline and it was discovered that she had a brain tumor. After her death in 1970, Gaye became severely depressed and resorted to drugs and alcohol to mask his pain. Despite heavy drug use, he was still able to record one of his most popular albums, What’s Going On, in 1971.  

Issues with Motown forced Gaye to leave the label and sign with Columbia Records.  In 1982 he recorded and released the multi-platinum song “Sexual Healing.”  Gaye’s financial and health problems, combined with a protracted battle against drug addiction and alcohol, resulted in him living with his parents. On April 1, 1984 Gaye was shot and killed by his father during an argument. It was later discovered that his father had a brain tumor.

 Blues/Country Western

 Ray Charles Robinson, a.k.a. Ray Charles (1930-2004)

 Ray Charles is undoubtedly one of the most talented and versatile musicians ever to walk the face of this earth! Born during the Great Depression and raised on blues, country, gospel, jazz and big band music, Ray Charles showed an interest in music at the early age of three. After completely losing his vision by age seven, he was admitted to a state-supported school for the deaf and blind in Florida. There, he learned to read and write music in Braille. 

 After his mother’s death when he was only 15, Charles left the school and traveled with the chitlin’ circuit, playing with dance bands. He began using heroin at age 15 - around the same time he met the young and talented Quincy Jones, who Charles taught to write and arrange music. Ray Charles went from playing in a small trio called the McSon Trio to signing a record deal with Atlantic Records. 

 In 1954 Charles recorded “I Got A Woman,” which reached number one on the R&B chart in 1955. Ray’s successful career had no bearing on his difficulties with substance abuse, depression and marital problems. Charles has a list of awards and honors longer than my arm, however, his greatest contributions to music come from his innovative style and meshing of gospel and secular music. The movie Ray starring Jamie Foxx is a must-see, as it depicts the extraordinary life of Ray Charles Robinson.

 Funk 

George Clinton (1940-)

 Very few people know that funk music legend George Clinton started his career in the 1950’s performing doo-wop music. The former North Carolina-born barber was inspired after hearing pop star Frankie Lymon, and started a doo-wop quintet called the Parliaments in 1955 while living in New Jersey and straightening hair (not cutting hair – “It was more lucrative,” says Clinton).  Clinton left Jersey for Detroit after an unsuccessful career with the Parliaments. He continued to hustle, making records, publishing, and producing. He also began experimenting with LSD. 

 The Parliaments became Parliament, with influences from Jimi Hendrix and Sly and the Family Stone helping to mold the band into its funky and unorthodox form known today. Clinton would actually perform naked on stage, often under the influence of drugs. Clinton, the front man for both Parliament and later Funkadelic began using crack cocaine in the 1980’s. He was still able to maintain a somewhat successful career – his most well known hit being “Atomic Dog.”  

Considering multiple legal battles and deals gone bad, George Clinton is still in demand, and is often seen or called upon to perform at special events -  including a party by former president Bill Clinton.  

Despite celebrity and fame, many great Black musicians have struggled with illegal drugs, alcohol and mental health issues.  Racism, human frailties, and untreated or unrecognized mental disorders are often culprits in these tendencies. Racism effectively limited opportunities for financial advancement and social acceptance, thus impacting these artists’ abilities to make a living. 

 Conceivably, depression and anger related to those difficulties directed some of these sensitive, creative musicians to the addictive qualities of drugs and alcohol as an escape. The temporary euphoria possibly enabled them to continue their artistic pursuits, dulled the pain of racism, masked mood disorders like anxiety and depression, and briefly suspended the harsh realities of being Black in the music world.

 Check me out in the June issue of Ebony discussing my take on the state of Hip-Hop!  Special thanks to my big brother Eric Whitfield, jazz saxophonist for his help with this piece.  He is a walking textbook when it comes to music.  

 (c) 2008 Rani Whitfield. Published June 17, 2008 at www.allhiphop.com

Straight Sippin: Killing Us Softly

“It taste great doc! I don’t even drink on that Henn anymore. You should try it; taste better than any margarita I’ve ever had. Just give me a cream soda or some fruit punch, mix it with that purple, and it’s on!”

This was only part of a conversation I had with a patient who tried in every way possible to get me to write him a prescription for a pint of “lean,” “purple” or what we call in the medical community, Promethazine with codeine (PC).
The street value for a pint of undiluted PC is $500, but more often this pint is “cut” with Karo syrup by the local street pharmacists to “stretch it out.” A gallon of PC “stretched out” can generate well over $3600 dollars on the streets.

In addition to being lucrative for the street pharmacists, the presence of “dat syrup,” “sizzurp” or “lean” was made popular by DJ Screw and the Houston Hip-Hop culture, and it became a common social drink among young African-Americans all across the nation.
References to PC are common in songs like Three 6 Mafia’s “Sippin’ on Some Sizzurp” and Lil Wayne’s freestyle rap “Live From 504.” As popularity increases for PC, the question arises, Why are people obsessed with PC? Answer: It’s the codeine!

Codeine, a commonly prescribed and effective drug used to treat pain, diarrhea and to suppress cough, is the most widely used and naturally occurring opiod or narcotic (medicines that produce pleasure and calmness) in the world. It comes from the opium poppy, and is related to morphine and heroin.

Codeine is also the base material for the production of two other narcotics, hydrocodone and dihydrocodeine. Compared to morphine, codeine produces less pain relief, and is usually taken by mouth in liquid or tablet form. It is often combined with aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to enhance its affects on the body. Promethazine, which does not contain codeine, is the generic name for a sedating, anti-nausea chemical this is often combined with codeine in cough syrups.

The combination of promethazine with codeine to control cough and cold symptoms is very effective when used properly, but can become addictive and dangerous when misused because of the codeine. Most Americans take their medications responsibly, however in 2003, approximately 15 million people in the United States reported using a prescription drug for non-medical reasons at least once during the year.

Prescription drug abuse has become a problem for several reasons. Use of prescription drugs is viewed as safe because a doctor prescribed it; it is readily accessible in home medicine cabinets; and medicines that normally need a prescription can now be purchased online without seeing a doctor, thus lessening the chance that one could get caught by the authorities for purchasing and using an illegal substance.

The three types of drugs commonly misused or abused in this country include:
opioids - which are prescribed for pain relief central nervous system depressants - often referred to as sedatives or tranquilizers (i.e. barbiturates and benzodiazepines) which are prescribed for anxiety or sleep problems
stimulants - which are prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the sleep disorder narcolepsy, or obesity

Symptoms of overdose on opiods like codeine include constipation, slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, weakness, confusion, tiredness, cold and clammy skin, small or constricted pupils, loss of consciousness, coma and possibly death!

To experience the effects of codeine, the human body must convert the drug to morphine. The effects of codeine start 10 to 30 minutes after ingestion, peak within one to two hours, and may last four to six hours, depending on how much is taken. Within two to three weeks of repetitive use, a physical and psychological addiction may develop. Misuse will lead to an apathetic, dulling-type effect, a lack of co-ordination and dulled responses.

The effects of the misuse of prescription drugs are not limited to just those that are of middle or lower income, there are popular artists that have also suffered the repercussions of misusing these drugs.

The cause of death for Robert Earl Davis, Jr., also known as DJ Screw, at age 30 was attributed to the result of combining PC with marijuana and alcohol.

Unfounded rumors have circulated about Pimp C’s death being related to an overdose of PC, however the autopsy results show that the PC only contributed to his death. Pimp C had a condition called sleep apnea (which we will talk about in my next article) that did not mix well with the cough syrup. Together, they caused his death.

The bottom line is that, recreational use of PC is dangerous, addictive, potentially life threatening, and illegal to use without a prescription. Be careful what you sip…it could be your last. (c) 2008 Rani Whitfield. This article was published April 2008 at http://allhiphop.com.

Under the Influence

Yeah, it’s true! At one point in history cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, LSD, opium and heroin were perfectly legal and in some cases given away- free. Now these drugs are considered illegal, harmful, and addicting. “It was better than sex; it was better than the best thing I ever tried; crack, marijuana, cocaine- put me in a state of mind where I did not care about anything or anyone I just wanted to get high.” These are all statements made to me by individual in jail or in drug rehab about how they felt being “Under the Influence” of drugs of abuse. How could chemicals that soothe pain, inspire intense euphoria, and temporarily allow us to escape from the problems of the day be harmful? Lets explore two of the popular drugs of the hip-hop culture and see how they affect the body.

Ecstasy (MDMA)
The “love drug” was first synthesized in a laboratory in Germany in 1912. Believed to have no medical use, it sat on the shelf for years; that was until 1977 when ya boi Alexander Shulgin, a chemist living in California, re-synthesized the compound and introduced it to local psychotherapist. It was not illegal and was given to patients by doctors to help couples communicate, to treat posttraumatic stress disorder, and treat anxiety and depression. The drug was called “empathy” until it hit the party scene where the name ecstasy was coined. Ecstasy was so wide spread in cities like Dallas, TX that you could buy it over the counter at bars- LEGALLY, doctors gave it to patients for group sessions and everything was all good, right? The sense of emotional well being, confidence and love produced by the drug comes from its effects on the brain. Ecstasy stimulates the release of serotonin, which affects our mood, energy and emotions. Normally in the brain, a little bit of serotonin gets released at time; when using ecstasy, all of the serotonin stored in the brain cells is released at once and the nerves goes “bananas” producing intense euphoria, strong emotions, and feelings of love, happiness, intimacy, openness, and empathy. This dramatic release of serotonin is also what makes the drug potentially dangerous, as the nerves may not ever function the same after repeated use of the drug. The agony begins when the ecstasy wears off and is often called “suicide Tuesday’s”. The user feels tired, fatigued, depressed, and is unable to sleep. Some ecstasy user’s have literally danced themselves to death or have seizures, go into to a coma, and die due to increased body temperature (up to 107 degrees) and water intoxication. An average 100-milligram dose last 6 to 10 hours and cost between $25 and $45 per pill depending on where you live. There is still a push to make this drug legal and to be used by psychotherapist.

Opium
Opium is a naturally occurring substance that is extracted from the seedpod of the opium poppy. Heroin, morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, and dihydrocodeine are all derivatives of opium. They are highly addictive substances that are commonly used by physicians for medical purposes: to treat diarrhea, nausea, and more commonly pain. Vicodin, Lortab, and Oxycotin (hillbilly heroin) are all examples of the prescribed derivatives of opium. They have legitimate uses in medicine, however the abuse potential is great. Prescription drug abuse has become a huge problem in our society and both the patient and the doctors are to blame. Have you heard of “dat Lean”, syrup, or sizzurp? Once just a “cough medicine”, this codeine based drink has become a cocktail of the hip-hop culture. Just mix your cream soda or fruit punch with some promethazine with codeine, and voila… you have the cheap, sweet drink made popular by the Houston hip-hop scene and DJ Screw who died from a mixture of codeine, alcohol, and marijuana. Codeine, a commonly prescribed and effective drug used to treat pain, diarrhea, and to suppress cough, is the most widely used and naturally occurring opiod or narcotic (medicines that produce pleasure and calmness) in the world. Promethazine, which does not contain codeine, is the generic name for a sedating, anti-nausea chemical that is often combined with codeine in cough syrups. Symptoms of codeine abuse include slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, weakness, confusion, tiredness, cold and clammy skin, small or constricted pupils, loss of consciousness, coma and possibly death! To experience the effects of codeine, the human body must convert the drug to morphine. The effects of codeine start 10-30 minutes after ingestion, peak within 1 to 2 hours and may last 4-6 hours, depending on how much taken. Within two to three weeks of repetitive use a physical and psychological addiction may develop. Misuse will lead to an apathetic, dulling-type effect, a lack of co-ordination and dulled responses.

Every illegal drug to date has started out perfectly legal, freely used and widely accepted. They are considered medical miracles until the side effects develop. One major problem with these illegal substances is that there is no long-term studies to tell us what will happen to the body after long-term use. What I can tell you is that destruction of lives, time spent in jail, and the risk of being infected with HIV or other STD’s, motor vehicle accidents, violence, and rape have all occurred “under the influence”. The fix is temporary and the cost is high. Lets seek out the natural highs in life: love, children, music, a good job, a loyal woman, great mix tapes, seeing bootleggers arrested for jacking music, and real hip-hop! Holla!

(c) 2008 Rani Whitfield. This article was published January 2008 by Ozone Magazine.

Steroids: Just Don’t Do It!

At 38 years of age I continue to exercise regularly despite a very busy schedule. While traveling for business, and rarely on vacation, the search for hotels with gyms and nearby training facilities is at the top of my list. I have a very competitive spirit and love to win especially when it comes to sports. What a great accomplishment it would be if I where victorious at the 2008 USA Track and Field Masters 400 meter run I am currently training for? I would do anything to win that race…well just about anything.

Modern sports and the media’s obsession with fame, fortune and the “win at any cost” attitude have created an environment for the abuse of the controlled substances called steroids. Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are the correct name for this class of drugs and many athletes are using them in professional sports today. These substances, once only used by the elite, have spilled over in to mainstream America as we now see weekend warriors and non-athletes using steroids for cosmetic purposes, i.e. weight loss and increased muscle mass. The questions I’m often asked are why people use these illegal and banned substances, what are the benefits of use, and what are the side effects?

AAS are synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone. The ability for steroids to build muscle and strength is the anabolic effect of the drug, while the development of MALE secondary sexual characteristics, like the pitch of someone’s voice and the pattern of body hair describe the androgenic effect of the drugs. The reported benefits of AAS include: improving athletic performance, increased muscle mass, weight gain, weight loss, faster recovery time from fatigue and injury, and increased speed and endurance. Pills, creams, and needles have been substituted for hard work, nutrition, and adequate rest as ways to gain the edge over the opponent.

In 1997, Sports Illustrated interviewed a group of elite Olympic athletes and one of the questions was: "If you were given a performance enhancing substance and you would not be caught and win, would you take it?” 98% of the athletes responded "Yes". The more chilling question was: "If you were given a performance enhancing substance and you would not be caught, win all competitions for 5 years, then die, would you take it?” More than 70% said, "Yes". Are these the messages we want for our youth?

The side effects of steroid use/abuse described in the medical literature include liver damage, kidney and liver tumors, high blood pressure, strokes, elevated cholesterol, mood disorders, acne, increased aggressiveness, nausea, sleep disturbance, increased body and facial hair, male pattern baldness, breast development in men, reduced sperm count, and decreased testicle size. The user who typically will take ten times or more the recommended medical dose and/or combine them with other substances, like human growth hormone, to enhance the effects of AAS, increases the potential for these health related problems. Furthermore, the integrity of these substances comes in to question as they are often purchased via the Internet, black market, or unregulated pharmacies.

The use of AAS is not only harmful, but it is illegal and considering cheating! We must teach young brothers to place more emphasis on participation and competition not merely winning. Hard work, proper nutrition, combined with hydration and rest are the keys to competitive success. I may not win my event in 2008, but I can promise you I will not use steroids to achieve success. My life and my family are much more important to me.

(c) 2007 Rani Whitfield.

Crack Cocaine

Being affectionately known as “Tha Hip Hop Doc” by the younger generation is an honor and I wear that title with pride. However, “Thug Doc” or “Gangsta Doc” is two other names I am frequently called by the inmates at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. Believe it or not, these are terms of endearment and respect as I work at the prison everyday and see many of the inmates, mostly African American, at the two substance abuse clinics where I work as well. The majority of these individuals are African American men who live well below the poverty level and have long histories of substance abuse. The drug of choice for most of them is crack cocaine.

Cocaine is not new to the world as it has been around for hundreds of years. The leaves of the cocoa plant, from which cocaine is derived, where chewed like tobacco by tribes in South America to ease pain, stimulate or suppress appetite, and combat altitude sickness. It was noted by the tribesman that not only could they work longer but they also felt “happy” and euphoric. In the 1880s pure cocaine was used as a local anesthetic for nose, eye, and throat surgeries due to its abilities not only to provide anesthesia, but also to constrict blood vessels and reduce bleeding. And it is true that cocaine was one of several ingredients in the original Coca-Cola only to be removed in 1929 when the harmful side effects of the drug where noted. Some actually thought that cocaine would be the “miracle” drug of the future.

What was thought to be the wonder drug used in elixirs and tonics later became a drug of the rich and famous in the late 1970s. Snorting cocaine was considered to be in vogue and in some social circles were acceptable and fashionable. However, it wasn’t until the mid-1980s that crack cocaine emerged on to the scene. This cheap and relatively easy to make variant of powder cocaine got its name from the crackling sound it makes when it is heated and its vapors smoked. There was nothing in vogue about crack’s introduction to the United States and the initial impact was felt in poor African American communities.

The 2005 National Survey on Drug use and Health (NSDUH) stated that approximately 7.9 million Americans aged 12 or older reported trying crack cocaine at least once during their lifetimes. Adult’s ages 18 to 25 years old have a higher rate of cocaine use than those of other age groups and men have a higher rate of current crack cocaine use than do women. Crack cocaine has a strong correlation with HIV/AIDS, crime, incarceration, and homelessness. The question that I often ask the inmates and individuals in drug rehab is why? Why is this drug becoming an epidemic in our society?

If you only remember one concept from this article, remember that crack cocaine is highly addictive. There are two main forms of cocaine: the hydrochloride salt or powdered form which dissolves in water and can be injected into veins (intravenous use) or snorted (intranasal use); and the freebase form or crack which is when the compound has not been neutralized by an acid to make the hydrochloride salt. Because it is smoked, the user experiences a high in less than 10 seconds that causes an intense and immediate feeling of euphoria, which according to addicts, is indescribable. Crack is inexpensive to both produce and to buy making it the drug of choice for the poor. Even more alarming are the potential medical complications of crack cocaine abuse: high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, headaches, hallucinations, addiction, and even sudden death. Substance abuse, in general is linked to illness liked HIV because when one is under the influence of a drug they make poor decisions like having unprotected sex or using IV drugs.

Inpatient and outpatient substance abuse rehab are a must for individuals who have used crack cocaine. As a result of its highly addictive potential, long-term treatment that includes counseling and group therapy are paramount. We must also look at the laws and how individuals are prosecuted once convicted of cocaine use and ingestion. Crack cocaine, despite what some think, continues to be a big problem in our country. Effective drug policies need to be in place and support for the communities under attack by the drug lord are the only remedies for this problem. And in the words of the late Rick James: “Cocaine is a hell of a drug!”



(c) 2007 Rani Whitfield. This article was published October 2007 at http://www.eurweb.com/

Alcohol: Is it Good or Bad For You?

Despite what most people thing alcohol is the second most commonly abused legal drug in the United States after tobacco. There has been some debate over whether alcohol is good or bad for those who do drink. The difference between what’s “good versus bad” is in the amount and frequency that one drinks. To date, there has been no universally accepted standard drinking definition. Alcohol abuse is a major cause of preventable death in the United States. Heavy drinking can damage the liver and heart, cross the placenta and harm and unborn child, increase the chance of developing certain cancers, plays a role in depression and violence, and is a major cause of problems with relationships. The assumed benefits, if one drinks in moderation, include improving cholesterol, reducing one’s risk of heart disease, potentially protecting against type 2 diabetes and preventing gallstones.

But before we get all excited about the rum and cola you had last night, lets take a look at the numbers: 14 million Americans meet the criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism; alcohol plays a role in 1 in 4 cases of violent crime; more than 16,000 people die each year in automobile accidents in which alcohol was involved; alcohol abuse costs more than $180 billion dollars a year. Alcoholism cuts across gender, race, and nationality in the United States. 17.6 million people, about 1 in 12 adults, abuse alcohol or are alcohol dependent. In general, more men than women abuse alcohol and problems are highest among young adults age 18-29 and lowest among adults ages 65 and older. There is research that shows that the risk for developing alcoholism runs in families; however, lifestyle plays a major role as well.

Ethanol, the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages can affect the body in many ways. It is classified as a sedative significantly impairs judgment the more you consume. Long-term users of ethanol are often defined as problem drinkers or alcoholics. Alcoholics are both physically and psychologically dependent on the drug, while problem drinkers are only psychologically dependent. Heavy and binge drinking overtime can cause inflammation of the liver called hepatitis and eventually lead to scarring of the liver called cirrhosis. Cardiomyopathy, an enlarged and poorly functioning heart, is also a major long-term side effect. Cancers that have been linked to alcohol abuse include those of the mouth, throat, esophagus, colon, and breast. Certain individuals should never drink and they include pregnant mothers, recovering alcoholics, those with diseases of the liver, and individuals taking medicines that interact with alcohol. As mentioned earlier, ethanol can cross the placenta and put an unborn child at risk for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. These children are born with facial deformities, abnormal behavior, and mental retardation, just to name a few.

In most cases, alcoholics deny that they have a drinking problem. Signs and symptoms of alcoholism include binge drinking; drinking alone; nausea, sweating, shaking, and seizures if some one is coming off a binge drinking session; depressed mood, irritability, and legal problems. Unfortunately, there is no cure for alcoholism, but the good news is that it is treatable. Treatment programs use a combination of both counseling and medications to help people stop drinking. The bottom line is that if you don’t already drink, there is no reason to start. You can get similar if not better benefits for your heart by exercising and eating a healthy low fat diet. If you already drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Men should drink no more than two drinks a day and women no more than one. Women have less total body water than men, so therefore it takes less alcohol to have an effect on women. The principles of good health for the most part have not changed. A good diet, regular exercise, and seeing your doctor on a regular basis is the key to longevity. If you don’t already drink, don’t start. If you do, do so in moderation and remember to never drink and drive.

For more information on alcohol visit www.niaa.nih.gov. (c) 2007 Rani Whitfield. This article was published September 2007 at www.eurweb.com

Drugs of Abuse Steroids:Fact or Fiction

By the time you read this article, Barry Bonds may have already broken the home run record. On July 20, 1976 Hank Aaron hit the last and final homerun of his very successful, yet tumultuous career in the Major Leagues. Much like his predecessors, Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, and many others African American players during that era, he played the game under extreme racism, scrutiny, and ridicule because he was African American and because he seized the home run record of America’s white hero, Babe Ruth. So we should be applauding the efforts of the African American Barry Bonds, right? He has great hand-eye coordination, he is the winner of eight Gold Glove Awards, he was the Most Outstanding Player in Baseball in 1993, and he holds the record for the most home runs in a single season- 73! Something, however, “just ain’t right”, and the accusations of his use of anabolic androgenic steroid (steroids or AAS) to help achieve these goals have not only tarnished his image, but the image of successful African American athletes.

Performance enhancing drugs like steroids are not new to the arena of sports. They date back to the early Olympic Game’s, which started in Greece and has now evolved into a multimillion-dollar industry due to marketing and advertising. As early as 1969, journalist Bill Gilbert was quoted in Sports Illustrated as saying, “The pill, capsule, vial, and needle have become fixtures of the locker room as athletes increasingly turn to drugs in the hope of improving performance.” The desire to win and to gain the edge over one’s opponent is innate. Who could argue with a young man or woman whose business contract becomes more lucrative if he/she can out run or out bench press more than his/her competition? The facts, however, still remain: steroids are illegal and are associated with short and long term side effects, some of which are very damaging to the body. The question I am often asked is why do athletes use steroids.

Anabolic (tissue or muscle building) androgenic (the development of masculine characteristics) steroids or AAS are the man made or synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone, a hormone found in men and in women in much smaller amounts, is responsible for the development of males during puberty. The original purpose for the use of steroids by physicians included: replacement of the hormone in men born with low levels; treating individuals who suffered injuries during war; treating those who are malnourished, such as HIV and cancer patients. There are also veterinarian uses for these drugs to treat certain medical problems in cows and horses. When used properly, these medicines can be very successful in treating illnesses and definitely have a place in the medical arena.

Unfortunately, there is a phrase used by some professional athletes: “If you are not using steroids, then you are not trying hard enough!” The quest for supremacy at the expense of one’s health has taken over and the all-mighty dollar is more important than longevity and loved ones. Steroids have been used and proven to build strength and endurance in competitive athletes for decades. Weight gain, weight loss, increased speed, increased strength, and physical appearances are all reasons for the use of these illegal concoctions. Steroids have become much more complex as proven by the “designer” steroids, some of which are undetectable with the latest technology in urine, blood, or hair samples. Steroids are administered in many ways including pills, needles, patches, or creams. Once in the system they are soaked up my muscle cells from the blood stream. Once inside the muscle cells they promote the production of protein, which stimulates muscle growth. Athletes often take doses two to three times the normal amount of steroids required on weekly basis. They mix or stack different types of steroids to achieve various effects: more muscle mass, decreased weight, leaner appearance, etc…. None of these “protocols” used by the athlete have been tested on humans and at best are experimental.

Side effects of steroid use/abuse include high blood pressure, strokes, elevated cholesterol, nausea, sleep disturbances, acne, increased aggressiveness, and mood disorders including anxiety and depression. Women can experience reduced breast size, increased body and facial hair, a deeper voice, and menstrual problems. In men, reduced sperm count; impotence, breast growth, and decreased testicular size have all been documented. Some of these are irreversible and require surgical treatment.

It still amazes me, however, that I get request frequently for these drugs to improve performance. To win at any and all cost is the main reason. A poll taken in 1995 of 198 sprinters, swimmers, power lifters, and other Olympians and aspiring Olympians asked if the athletes would take a performance-enhancing substance if they knew it would help them win there event and they would not be caught- 195 out of 198 said yes. The poll went further to ask if under the same conditions they would take the substance knowing that in five years they may die- 80% still said yes!

Educating our youth on proper nutrition, exercise, and the consequences of steroid use/abuse is the key. Commitment to the sport on all levels is the only way to be successful. Steroids are illegal, potentially harmful, and are viewed as cheating. Is Barry Bonds guilty; unfortunately many believe that he is, despite being one of the most talented individuals to ever play the game of baseball and one of my personal favorites. My advice to him is to never take or rub something on his body without doing a little research. I surely will celebrate the day he breaks the record, but for some, his success will always be in question.


For more information on steroids visit (www.nida.nih.gov) or visit my website (www.h2doc.com), view the Steroid Man, and shoot me a question at DrRani@h2doc.com. (c) 2007 Rani Whitfield. This article was published September 2007 at http://www.eurweb.com/