Our favorite ’90s star Ethan Embry opened up about his struggle with opiate addiction for an important reason
The star of many of our most beloved teen comedies has recently opened up about his battle with addiction. On May 12th, ‘90s star Ethan Embry revealed he struggled with opiate addiction for years — including prescription painkillers and black tar heroin.
Embry decided to share his experience with addiction for a very important reason.
In a series of tweets, the actor responded to Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ latest order for federal prosecutors to seek the toughest possible charges and sentences for drug offenders. Embry says,
“Opiate OD is the leading cause of preventable death in America at 50k last year alone. It’s a health [crisis] not a criminal one Mr Sessions. For decades we have told addicts that their behavior deserves punishment. That they should be locked away for their addictions.”
Opiate OD is the leading cause of preventable death in America at 50k last year alone. It's a health crises not a criminal one Mr Sessions
— Ethan Embry (@EmbryEthan) May 12, 2017
I believe the first step to combatting the opiate crises is dismantling the stigma attached to addiction.
— Ethan Embry (@EmbryEthan) May 12, 2017
He also wrote, “All that [criminalization] accomplishes is multiplying the shame that us addicts experience. It forces us to hide our addictions until it’s too late for help. So many people have died because they were afraid and ashamed. This memo from Sessions does nothing to address that. It only makes it worse.”
He continued, “I was stuck in a cycle of running through a subutex script and smoking tar for about two straight years. 6 years ago today I started my kick,” he tweeted Sunday. “If you are strung out on opiates and want to stop-but the fear of the kick is keeping you from it- I won’t lie it f—ing sucks.”
Thankfully, the actor is now clean and has even opened his DMs to followers looking for support and tips to help them through their own addictions.
Life won't get any easier for us when we sober up. But I do promise you'll be better at dealing with what comes at you clean.
— Ethan Embry (@EmbryEthan) May 14, 2017
Embry started his acting career at the age of 12 and is most popularly known for his roles in ‘90s classics like Empire Records, Can’t Hardly Wait, and That Thing You Do!, as well as in his roles in TV shows like The Walking Dead, Grey’s Anatomy, and Grace and Frankie.
We’re so glad that Embry is currently doing okay and using his platform to speak out on such a vitally important issue. We’re certain it will help others who are currently struggling with addiction.
