Online overdose
The week's news at a glance.
Phoenix
A Phoenix man overdosed on prescription drugs while friends in an Internet chat room egged him on and watched on a Web cam, the New York Daily News reported this week. Brandon Vedas, 21, bragged he had a “high tolerance” for drugs. He apparently tried to prove it, urging online friends to log on to his Web site to watch him pop pills prescribed for depression. “Bottoms up!” he typed, as he downed pills with straight rum. Some in the chat room begged Vedas to stop; others dared him to keep going. “Eat more,” one urged. “I want to see if you survive.” Vedas’ messages stopped after he typed, “I told u I was hardcore.” His mother found him dead the next day.
A free daily email with the day’s biggest news and analysis – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.