Run for cover, Petey, old chap. In Dundee, Scotland, a 17-year old girl was found dead of a drug overdose, and the witch hunt has already focused on her music collection. When it was discovered that the girl was a fan of Babyshambles, it was, naturally, assumed that “Pete Doherty, the rock star heroin-addict” was to blame for the girl’s death:

While the circumstances of her death are not known, the news has triggered fresh criticism of the glamorising of drugs by teenage idols such as Doherty and his former girlfriend Kate Moss.

Dr Jane Jay, the chairman of the National Forum on Drug- Related Deaths, said: “I think it is worrying. It’s a pity more young people don’t follow sporting heroes like Chris Hoy instead of these sorts of people.

“I think there is a link between the glamorous lifestyle rock stars lead and the behaviour of young people who look up to them. That said, there is no proof that young people are taking drugs because celebrities are doing it. But I don’t think it helps.”

With all due respect to this family, it’s bizarre how “controversial” celebrities often get blamed for our society’s proliferation of drug use, eating disorders, random violence, teen pregnancy, plastic surgery, drunk driving, and all-around deviant behaviour. The media never stops to consider the fact that, if these problems weren’t already common in society, those famous types who engage in such behavior would likely never have been idolized in the first place. Of course, blaming one’s audience doesn’t sell tabloids, and, when things go wrong, most humans tend to use their pointing fingers more than their brains. Defense mechanisms rock.