Accidental OD Killed Ledger

Medical records will be subpoenaed

(NEWSER) - The investigation into Whitney Houston's death is now turning to her doctors and pharmacies. Investigators are expected in the next few days to serve subpoenas on the singer's physicians and the pharmacies where Houston obtained multiple prescription drugs, reports the Los Angeles Times . Officials aim to determine whether the drugs were dispensed properly, and if the singer was receiving too many prescriptions, a source tells the newspaper. Investigators will likely pore over a state-created database of controlled substances prescribed in California. Tracking celebrity prescription drug use can be complicated because they may regularly use drugs prescribed to aides, according to law enforcement authorities. More»

Friends say addiction not plausible

(NEWSER) - Speculation is swirling around the death of surfing great Andy Irons after police found a variety of prescription drugs in his Dallas hotel room. Police reports indicate that Irons had generic versions of Ambien and Xanax, and the county medical examiner told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that one of the bottles actually contained methadone. But friends and family say the phenom didn’t have a drug problem. More»

It's the most-prescribed psychiatric medication

(NEWSER) - Xanax is king in America—the anti-anxiety drug was prescribed more than any psychiatric medication in 2009, according to PsychCentral . We're a "zonked out" nation, observes Hamilton Nolan at Gawker , noting that the "first speed prescription" (amphetamine salts) doesn't show up until No. 11. Here's the top 10:

1. Xanax
2. Lexapro
3. Ativan
4. Zoloft
5. Prozac

Law enforcement source says Valentine's card from Hayley Wood found on table

(NEWSER) - DJ AM was found dead with eight OxyContin pills in his stomach and another in his mouth, supporting the theory that he committed suicide, a law enforcement source tells People. He wanted to die," the source said. "He was going unconscious when he took the last one. He didn't even swallow it." Crack cocaine was found under the DJ's body, according to the source. More»

Painkillers, Valium, Xanax also found

(NEWSER) - Cocaine figured into Billy Mays’ death, TMZ reports. An autopsy found traces of the drug in Mays' system, suggesting that the TV pitchman used it a few days before his death. The report lists “cocaine use” as a contributing cause of death, along with heart disease. The autopsy also found painkillers hydrocodone (Vicodin) and oxycodone, along with Valium, Xanax, and alcohol. More»