Facts:  Coheed and Cambria bassist Michael Todd was arrested on July 10, 2011 in Massachusetts on suspicion of armed robbery and possession of a controlled substance.  Mr. Todd apparently entered a pharmacy and approached the counter.  He claimed to have a bomb and demanded that he be given the prescription drug Oxycontin. 

Oxycontin is prescribed by doctors as a fever-reducing and pain relief drug.  It is a popular street drug because it is similar to heroin in its effects.  Like heroin, Oxycontin is extremely dangerous in the wrong hands because of its addictive nature.  In fact, when wrongfully used, it becomes far more addictive, because there is no physician to monitor proper use.  Oxycontin affects the body and brain and how it understands pleasure. Because of this, the body can become physically and mentally addicted.

Due to the extreme nature of his behavior, Mr. Todd likely has been addicted to Oxycontin for a long time.  The addiction became so strong that he apparently entered a pharmacy in broad daylight, announced that he had a bomb, and demanded narcotics.  His band is extremely popular and had a concert scheduled for the same evening.  The band had to find a replacement bassist for the show, and they have since been looking for a permanent replacement for Mr. Todd.

Law:  The charges filed against Mr. Todd are extremely serious and carry significant jail time.  In Massachusetts, armed robbery carries a minimum of five years in jail for a first conviction.  Even though Mr. Todd did not actually have a bomb, the mere fact that he threatened the pharmacy with a bomb is enough to classify the robbery as an armed robbery.  Further, Mr. Todd was also charged with possession of a controlled substance, which basically means having a drug without a prescription.  There are different penalties for possession, but typically, first offenses lead to light jail time, fines, and alternative programs aimed at stopping drug use.

Analysis:  This is a cautionary tale for a number of reasons.  To start, this is not necessarily unusual for somebody who is dependant on addictive drugs.  As I’ve mentioned, Oxycontin is incredibly addictive for all but particularly for those who wrongfully purchase and use it.  As the addiction grows stronger, the lengths to which an addict will go to obtain the drug will greatly increase.  Here, you have a successful musician who went to a pharmacy in the middle of the day and lied about having a bomb to get prescription drugs.  This is the behavior of a very sick individual who desperately needed medical help to overcome this addiction.  Unfortunately, the addiction became too strong, and Mr. Todd resorted to these actions just for more pills.

            Further, and this is a topic I’ve previously touched on, you are seeing the clear effects of an arrest on Mr. Todd’s employment.  Many children dream of one day being a musician, and Mr. Todd was touring the globe with a successful rock band.  He is now unemployed and has made it difficult for any band to even consider hiring him.  In addition to the jail time he likely faces, he has also shown that he cannot be trusted.  Every band member relies on the man next to him to do his part every night.  If the guy next to you is too concerned with getting drugs and lets it affect his work, then you simply have to replace him.  A band may be more forgiving of certain types of drug abuse, but most jobs you work at will simply not accept this type of behavior. 

            The only way to avoid addiction is to avoid drugs.  Unfortunately, it’s not a message that is particularly well received.  One study estimated that in 2006, 8.3% of people over the age of 12 had improperly taken Oxycontin in the previous month.  If you or someone you know is experimenting with Oxycontin, it is very important that you take immediate steps to fight the addiction.  If the Oxycontin use increases, the user may require medical intervention to successfully and safely stop using because of potential withdrawal.  Withdrawal symptoms may be severe and can include anxiety, nausea, insomnia, muscle pain, fevers, and other flu like symptoms. (source: http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/oxycodone.asp) 

The following two links include a number of trustworthy solutions to addiction, including how and where to find the nearest treatment centers.  As this troubling story has shown, even successful musicians with all the money in the world can give in to dangerous addictions.  If you or someone you know needs help, make every arrangement to work on it immediately to avoid a fate similar to Mr. Todd.

http://www.michaelshouse.com/oxycontin-rehab/oxycontin-statistics-rehab/

http://www.opiates.com/oxycontin/get-off-oxycontin.html