Hacker Barnaby Jack Died of Drug Overdose

DrDevil writes "Barnaby Jack, the computer security expert who died mysteriously a few days before he was due to give a presentation on hacking pacemakers at last year's Black Hat, died of a drug overdose. The coroner initially withheld the report, which led to much speculation given the timing of his death. Mr. Jack appears to have taken a cocktail of drugs (PDF) and was found dead by his girlfriend. His girlfriend stated that he had used drugs regularly."

Comments

The reality of drugs are very grim

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm sorry to hear a talented hacker died because he foolishly believed recreational drug use was normal or acceptable.

Despite people claiming drug use is normal, natural, and safe, history is filled with dead rock stars, artists, musicians, and regular Joes who struggled and succumbed to drug addiction. Even "safe" drugs like marijuana have been scientifically proven to be addictive, induce depression, schizophrenia, and reduce motivation. Pets are dying from eating marijuana edibles, and edibles make small children so ill they have to go to the ER.

There's a reason every society on Earth thinks drugs are bad, and it isn't due to a government or pharmaceutical conspiracy. Any drug, even legal prescription drugs, have severe side effects, and can be damaging or fatal. Drugs need to be used only when necessary, and recreational drug use is practically the definition of self-injury. Portugal's experiment with drug decriminalization just ended up with a huge body of people who needed rehabilitation, and they now have more support groups for addicts than any country on Earth. There are no legal drug success stories, unless you only look at the financial gain of the drug dealers and criminals who run pot dispensaries.

And yes, all this applies to alcohol. I'm saying that before any potheads fire back with the same tired "But, Prohibition!" arguments in a desperate attempt to justify their mistake.