Whitney Houston's Death "Teachable Moment" (Obama Drug Czar: Gil Kerlikowske)

White House drug czar says Whitney Houston's death is a 'teachable moment'

White House Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske called the death of singer Whitney Houston a "teachable moment" in addressing the problem of prescription drug abuse in the United States.

"I think it's what we might call a teachable moment, when someone passes. Particularly someone that was as highly thought of and was such an incredible performer as Whitney Houston," said Kerlikowske to CBS News in an online video released Monday.

Kerlikowske, the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, said Houston's passing puts a spotlight on the issue of prescription drug use. The superstar had opened up about in past interviews admitting to problems with substance abuse, however the Los Angeles County coroner however has still not ruled on the cause of her death.
Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hilton hotel on Los Angeles Saturday. The music icon was 48.

"We can use this a moment to help people understand and remember that there are literally billions of Americans suffering from this problem," he said.
The nation's top drug-policy enforcer told CBS that this type of drug use affects a "huge number" of people throughout the country and causes deaths in "very, very high numbers."

"They're coming right out of our medicine cabinets and yet these drugs are as addictive and dangerous as any other drug," he added.

Kerlikowske said that Houston's struggles with substance abuse highlight the fact that the issue spans all demographics and socioeconomic barriers.

He said that perception drug abuse needs to be recognized as a disease that can be managed and treated with the right help.

Kerlikowske said that when he took office the problem was "not on the public's mind," but after a review which revealed the significance of the problem, President Obama released a strategy to deal with the issue by coordinating state, local and federal involvement.

"We can use this a moment to help people understand and remember that there are literally billions of Americans suffering from this problem," he said.


Sources: CBS News, The Hill, Wikipedia