Leonardo DiCaprio Against Drugs

Insync

oi-Staff

By Staff

Tuesday, January 13, 2009, 14:58

The early deaths of fellow actors Heath Ledger and River Phoenix due to drug overdose has put Leonardo DiCaprio completely off the substance.

The actor spend his growing up years in a heroin-riddled neighbourhood, but rather than tempting him, the exposure only put him off the substance abuse.

"I knew drugs were bad, even as a little kid. Seeing the effects that drugs had on my block, seeing heroin addicts, it made me think twice about ever getting involved in drugs," the Daily Star quoted him as saying.

"I was so horrified by what I saw drugs do to people that I never wanted anything to do with them," he added.

The deaths of actors Phoenix and Ledger from an accidental overdose has influenced him to great extends.

"When I was a young actor, I saw other actors die of drugs. I watched what happened to River Phoenix, who was such an influence on me as a young actor," he said.

"Now Heath Ledger has died young. It is such a horrifying thought to know that those guys aren't around any more. Every person has demons. We all have horrible fears and insecurities that we need to overcome," he added. AGENCIES