The Eagle Times

This Tuesday, 28-year-old actor Heath Ledger was found dead in Mary-Kate Olson’s SoHo apartment. He was found at 3:26 pm, according to police, and pills were strewn on the bed around his naked body, though it hasn’t been confirmed whether they are prescription or over-the-counter. It’s not clear why Ledger was at Olsen’s apartment, since she is reportedly in California.

It’s unclear whether the cause of Ledger’s death was deliberate, or a drug overdose. Considering Ledger has been a fairly successful actor in popular movies such as “10 Things I Hate About You,” “The Patriot,” “A Knight’s Tale,” and “Brokeback Mountain,” and was cast as the joker in the upcoming sequel to “Batman Begins,” suicide seems unlikely.

Many celebrities have fallen prey to Hollywood’s partying and drug scene. Some, like Amy Winehouse, Pete Winz, and Lindsay Lohan, have made multiple trips to rehabilitation to try to correct this. Others, such as Ledger and Elvis Presley, haven’t been so lucky.

Drug abuse a serious issue that affects people of all ages across America, not just celebrities. According to a survey taken by the U.S. Bureau of Justice, drug use in teens was much more prevalent in the ‘80s than now. However, despite the efforts of D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and other organizations devoted to stamping out drugs, many Americans still struggle with drug addiction.

By Susie LeJeune