MTV's Buckwild Stars, Drugs and Death

Buckwild, a recently produced MTV reality show about youngsters in Sissonville, WV has seen some rough times lately. The program focused on a group of friends living in a "holler" in West Virginia and chronicled their partying and shenanigans. Get-togethers typically involved four-wheeling and late nights, and the show was a hit for MTV. Unfortunately, the stars of the show have recently had to deal with one cast member being arrested twice for drug charges and another being found dead in his automobile.

A couple months ago, 24 year-old Buckwild cast member Salwa Amin was arrested on two counts of heroin possession with intent to deliver. She was freed on a $100K bond but was recently arrested again for violating the terms of her release. She is currently incarcerated and was put back in jail on April 1^st. Heroin possession is a serious drug offense and she is potentially facing multiple felonies and prison time. In addition, having an Intent to Deliver charge adds to the whole legal mess and makes for even more severe repercussions

In other news from the Buckwild crew, cast member Shain Gandee was found dead in a vehicle with his uncle and a friend in Kanawha County, WV early Sunday morning, March 31^st, 2013. Apparently the three individuals left a bar late Saturday night at 3:00 am to go four-wheeling, a pastime that was featured highly on the MTV program. According to authorities, they responded to calls of a distressed vehicle and arrived to find the three men dead in the vehicle, which was partially submerged. The deaths were ruled as accidental, and they quoted carbon monoxide poisoning the reasoning for their death.

Although they have not officially stated whether or not alcohol was a main factor in their deaths, they were leaving a bar at 3:00 am. Gandee was only 21 years old. It is unfortunate for tragedy to fall on his family, especially when he was so young. He was known as a "magnetic personality" and he was highly featured throughout the filming of the show, which was in its first season. Although plans were in the works for a second season, MTV has not stated whether or not they will continue production of the show after this recent tragedy.

Unfortunately, drugs, alcohol and celebrities tend to go hand in hand. Not to say that every famous person has substance abuse problems with drug addiction or alcohol addiction, but history has shown that numerous celebrities have had problems with drugs and alcohol. Whether they pass away at a young age, end up in legal trouble or getting too far gone substance abuse, it is quite common for actors, musicians and other famous persons to have drug issues. Fame brings a lot of pressure, which many tend to deal with through drinking or doing drugs. And people in that position also are around a lot of substance abuse, which can negatively influence them.

If you ever saw the Buckwild show, you may remember Shain Gandee as a goofy, fun-loving personality with a passion for life, a big heart, and lots of love for his friends. It's sad to see anyone go, especially at such a young age, and especially to a person that touched so many lives. And getting locked up for drug charges is no favorable fate either. Many celebrities and members of the cast have expressed prayers, thoughts and concerns for family members and friends of individuals in the Buckwild cast.