Classic Rant #187 (February 4, 2010): Not Turning Over a New Leif

I am sure you heard that former pop star Leif Garrett was picked up for drug possession yet again on Monday.

After looking weary and shaking violently in a train station in Los Angeles, a police officer approached Garrett and asked him if he had been doing drugs or had any on him. He told the officer that he often shakes nervously when a police officer approaches because of his past history, which has been laden with drug arrests.

Of course, a few minutes later, he fessed up, saying that he had heroin in his shoes.

He was arrested and jailed until his release yesterday morning. His next court date is Feb. 24.

What is it with these 1970s teen idols and pop stars that they simply can't handle themselves in public by the time they get into their 30s and 40s?

Of course, I have ranted extensively about Gary Coleman, the pint-sized actor who gets into trouble with the law almost on a monthly basis.

There have been many others, and here we have Garrett, who at 48 looks about 20 years older because of what he has done to his body with drugs over the years.

You might remember that his sister is Dawn Lyn, who played Dodie during the last three or so seasons of "My Three Sons." She can't help him, because she lives in Europe.

Like all of these former child stars, he has got to help himself before he can move beyond this type of nonsense. He has to get into his head that he is not the teen pop star of "I Was Made For Dancing" fame or the guy who graced plenty of 16 Magazine covers.

He is simply a 48-year old drug addict, plain and simple.

He must learn to deal with this, get the proper help, and move on.

If he doesn't do this, he will wind up like other child stars who just don't get it and die very young.

So Leif, get a life and get sober. Nearing 50 years of age, isn't it time?