Pubdate: Wed, 12 Feb 2014
Source: Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
Copyright: 2014 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.
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Website: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/339
Author: Gloria C. Endres

READERS AGREE ON 'SELFISH' HOFFMAN

I am not surprised to read the reactions to the column by Christine 
Flowers on the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman. Her use of the word 
"selfish" to describe the actor's relapse into his heroin addiction 
was sure to attract attention. And maybe this is a conversation we 
must have, especially with the movement to legalize yet another 
addictive drug, marijuana.

Certainly Miss Flowers understands that addicts are in perpetual 
recovery, but she is speaking from the point of view of the 
survivors. She understands from personal experience what it feels 
like to lose a parent at too young an age to a relentless disease. 
She therefore empathizes with Hoffman's three grief-stricken 
children, who must grow up fatherless because Hoffman succumbed to an 
addiction he once had under control. The word "selfish" may not fit 
perfectly, but a wealthy actor like Hoffman had resources at his 
disposal to save himself that Miss Flowers' father sadly did not.

Hoffman did not have to die by his own hand and that is the real 
tragedy of it, especially for his survivors.

Gloria C. Endres

Philadelphia
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