(RightWing.org) – When 80s TV star Adam Rich died suddenly in January, his cause of death was initially a mystery. Now the investigation has been completed and the puzzle has been solved. It turns out Rich was the latest victim of the fentanyl epidemic that’s sweeping the country.
Adam Rich’s death this January has been ruled an accident related to fentanyl, according to an autopsy report. https://t.co/3sWJLS87z6
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) June 25, 2023
In the 1980s, Adam Rich was well known for playing Nicholas in the hit TV show “Eight Is Enough.” He went on to appear in several other shows, including “The Love Boat” and “Baywatch” — but, on January 7, he was found dead in his Los Angeles home. His cause of death wasn’t reported at the time, although foul play wasn’t suspected.
Now, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has released its report into Rich’s death. It turns out he died of an overdose of fentanyl, the synthetic opioid that’s causing an epidemic of deaths across the US.
The fact Rich died of an overdose probably shouldn’t be a huge surprise. For much of his life, he struggled with substance abuse. In the 1990s, he was arrested over a burglary at a pharmacy and spent several years in and out of rehab. In 2002 he was arrested again after nearly hitting a police officer while driving under the influence. He denied the charges, claiming to have been sober for 10 years, but spent the rest of his life in recovery programs.
Fentanyl overdose is now the leading cause of death among adults in the US; its victims include musicians Prince and Tom Petty. The powerful opioid is being produced by Mexican drug cartels and smuggled across our southern border. Other drugs, including fake pills, are often laced with fentanyl to increase their potency; this means users often don’t even know they’re taking fentanyl until its deadly effects strike. Unfortunately, the current administration doesn’t see border security as a priority, so there’s no end in sight.
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