Tony Bennett calls for legalizing drugs after Whitney Houston death

Tony Bennett had a controversial suggestion to make at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party on Saturday night, after the death of Whitney Houston.

Bennett was among the many performers at Davis' bash, which went on despite the sadness that spread across the singing community gathered in Los Angeles.

Tony Bennett, 85 mourned the passing of Houston by asking for drugs to be legalized in the United States. During his performance, Bennett recalled his fondness for the late Amy Winehouse as well as Houston.

For good measure he added the name of Michael Jackson into the mix of singing stars he believes were taken too early as a result of drug abuse and addiction.

"First it was Michael Jackson, then Amy Winehouse, now the magnificent Whitney Houston. Let's legalize drugs, like Amsterdam, it's a very sane city now."

The legendary singer continued, "So you can get them from a doctor, not just some gangsters that sell it under the table." Unfortunately for Bennett, it was a prescribed drug that is believed to be involved in Houston's death.

The same sad news is true about Michael Jackson. He was full of a drug meant for use only in hospital surgical settings, that his personal physician obtained and administered to Jackson each night in order for him to get some sleep.

And, although Winehouse had been battling illegal drug addiction, she did not die of an overdose of drugs. None were found in in her system. Instead the British coroner announced that she died of what was called an accidental alcohol poisoning.

Whitney Houston's death is under investigation but what was scooped up in a search of her hotel room on Saturday were prescription drugs including Xanax and Lorazepam, according to TMZ.com. Both are used for help in relieving stress and anxiety, sometimes even as a sleep aid.

Houston was found Saturday afternoon in at the Beverly Hilton in her bathroom's tub, with her face submerged under water.

At Clive Davis' party that night each performing artist, in his or her own way paid tribute to the late Whitney Houston. Houston's autopsy is expected to take place in Los Angeles on Sunday, but no results are expected to be announced.

The Los Angeles Times reported on the length of time it might take for any official statements on the cause of death. It took three months for the coroner to make a final determination about how Michael Jackson died. The final report named "acute propofol intoxication."

In the more recent death of rapper Heavy D no public disclosure was made by the L.A. County Coroner's office for one month. It was determined that the singer died as a result of a blood clot.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

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