The senseless death of Whitney Houston is remarkable in only one respect, it didn't happen 10 years ago.

If you think I'm being harsh or unfeeling- far from it- I am sickened by her useless death. She was gifted beyond measure with great beauty, a superb voice, limitless talent, wealth beyond what 99 percent of us will ever achieve; international fame, the love and admiration of millions, loving, devoted parents, a beautiful daughter and infinite opportunities. 

Houston was mentored by one of the most powerful men in the music business, Clive Davis, who loved her and believed in her to the degree that even when she was at her lowest point, he never abandoned her. And yet, one day, this golden, greatly blessed girl, made a personal decision to indulge in the drugs that  killed her voice and may have ultimately killed her. 

Certainly the many years of abuse her body and mind endured contributed to this terrible and early demise; 48 seems like the bloom of youth to me, far too young to leave this world. But once she was caught in the vortex of addiction, she could not pull herself clear. What a tragic waste. As a Mother, I can only imagine the agony her own mom is enduring this minute, a pain that never ends.

I think of young people who may have admired her and others like her, who glamorize drugs and alcohol, and may follow this same twisted path. They will not have the privilege of "comebacks" and luxury suites at the Beverly Hilton Hotel but instead, sordid and ruined lives, wasted by "substance abuse." I remember Ms. Houston saying  she had "too much money to smoke crack." This appalling statement left me shaking my head in disbelief. She was proud that she could afford more expensive drugs and somehow this elevated her status as an addict in her mind. If this doesn't prove that drugs rot your brain, what will?

We have a horrible national drug problem and no one seems to have a solution.  Our craving and lust for drugs is causing wholesale, horrific murder in Mexico and chaos in our border states. We are fueling our own destruction with our need to get and stay high. Meanwhile, the tabloid media sets these "idols" up as the greatest role models in the world, encouraging their emulation. The appetite for the lurid, sensational and bizarre seems insatiable. Genuine achievement is ignored while we worship these tinsel idols whose feet are not clay, but mud.  

The "King of Pop" Elvis, Janis Joplin, even Judy Garland, all died too young from their out of control addictions. The list is long and pitiful.   

"Oh, let's not dwell on their addiction today,"  the vultures pander at the death scene, "let's remember their great talent." Talent? In the end, they are only famous junkies, not role models. We live in a world where we are encouraged to take drugs for everything and Big Pharma strives to call every ailment a "disease" so they can sell us yet another drug. Feel sad? Take a drug. If you're fat, take this drug. Can't sleep? Take another drug. Have a pain? Swallow 10 oxycodone and kill a few innocent people to get more.  

Drugs, legal and illegal, are paralyzing our ability to live our lives without chemical assistance. If I could hold every young person's hand and look into his or her eyes I would beg, implore and plead with them never to start using drugs. No smoking, snorting or shooting. No pills from your parents medicine chest. Live clean lives unimpaired by these murderous substances. Your bodies, fat ,thin, tall, short, are Divine Gifts. Treat them with loving respect and care. Your brains are the repositories of the infinite, your lives are precious.

Life is filled with moments of transcendent happiness and deep and painful sadness. Try to live your lives with character, not chemicals. Anyone offering you drugs is NOT YOUR FRIEND. Say no, walk away, get new friends. Be strong. Better to have no friends than those who would lead you to a ruinous life of addiction.

Whitney Houston's torment is over. She is in the arms of our Loving Father God, at rest and finally, hopefully, at peace. Take her heartbreaking story and use it as a parable of what can happen when you choose to embark on a journey of addiction. At least in that way, her life, like her beautiful music, can turn out to be a force for good. 

Dr. Kleine regrets she cannot give advice by phone or e-mail. To make an appointment call 631.472.8139 or e-mailDrfootsi@myway.com