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USA Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Doctor charged in Matthew Perry's death pleads guilty to supplying ketamine to actor
A physician charged alongside four others for his role in actor Matthew Perry's death pleaded guilty in court Wednesday, July 23. In court, Dr. Salvador Plasencia pleaded guilty to four counts of illegal distribution of the prescription anesthetic ketamine and faces up to 40 years in prison. In June, Plasencia agreed to plead guilty to his role in the substance abuse that contributed to the "Friends" star's tragic death in 2023. Also known as "Dr. P," Plasencia first signed a plea agreement on June 13 drafted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, according to a court document filed June 16 and obtained by USA TODAY. Ketamine is a short-acting anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties. It is sometimes prescribed to treat depression and anxiety, but is also abused by recreational users. As part of the plea deal, Plasencia acknowledges that he "knowingly distributed ketamine" to Perry before his 2023 death, behaved in a manner "outside the scope of professional practice," and that the drug distribution lacked "a legitimate medical purpose." Doctor who supplied Matthew Perry with ketamine to plead guilty, faces 40 years in prison In addition to prison time, other conditions of Plasencia's sentence could also include a three-year period of supervised release, a fine of $2 million (or alternatively, "twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offenses") and a mandatory special assessment of $400. In August 2024, Plasencia was charged alongside Jasveen Sangha, whom the Department of Justice previously referred to as "The Ketamine Queen" of North Hollywood, and the pair faced 18 criminal counts for allegedly "distributing ketamine to Perry during the final weeks of the actor's life." Perry, best known for his role as the wisecracking Chandler Bing on "Friends," died in October 2023 at the age of 54 after the actor was found dead in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home. The drug-related nature of Perry's death prompted a sweeping investigation in May 2024 by several U.S. agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. An autopsy report released in December 2023 revealed that Perry's death was an accident, with the cause being "the acute effects of ketamine." Contributing factors were drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine. If you or someone you know needs help battling a substance abuse addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Contributing: Reuters
Sunday World
02-07-2025
- Sunday World
Dear Denise: My partner says boob job will ruin our sex life
Sort your love life with honest and practical tips from Denise Smith Dear Denise: I met a guy on Tinder a couple of months ago and from the off we both said we were only looking for no-strings-attached sex. He told me really early on that he's not into condoms but I said there was absolutely no way in hell that I was sleeping with someone without protection. All had been good until the other night. We had a few drinks and went back to my place and went straight to the bedroom. We were fumbling around in the dark and I asked him did he have the condom on and he said, 'yes'. It was only when he climaxed that I realised he had lied. I can't believe I didn't notice at the time. My mind just froze in that moment and I told him to leave but he couldn't understand why I was so upset. I went and got the morning after pill as soon as I could but I feel so violated. Answer: I am so, so sorry that you have experienced this. You set your boundaries from the very beginning of this arrangement and they have been very clearly violated. The onus isn't on you, it's on this man who breached your trust and ignored your health and wellbeing by choosing not to wear protection. This is a deeply disturbing situation, and it's understandable that you'd feel shocked and confused, but beyond that, the fact that he lied about wearing the condom is, legally speaking, a form of sexual assault in many places. The non-consensual removal of a condom is called 'stealthing' and it is breach of your autonomy and bodily integrity. Speak to a healthcare professional to get checked, and you may want to reach out to a counsellor or therapist for added support. You can call the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre on the National Helpline on 1800 77 8888. He says boob job will ruin our sex life Dear Denise: I have been with my partner since we were teenagers and for as long as I've known him he's always had a bit of a boob fetish. I've even stumbled across some of the porn he watches and it's women that have the most insane boob jobs. I have always been pretty well endowed, so whenever we have sex he gives my breasts more attention than me. Our intimacy has always been good but over the years and after a couple of kids I really want to get a breast reduction. At this point, I have back pain and they are impacting my confidence. I broke the news last week and I thought he was going to cry. He's told me I am being selfish and that it will ruin our sex life. Is he for real? Answer: This just screams selfish man-child. You're clearly looking to improve your overall health and well-being and your long-term partner should be the one empowering you and helping you. You're not a blow-up doll and you don't solely exist for his pleasure. You've also been clearly accepting of his preferences and fetishes but now it's time to think of yourself. I think it's time for a conversation to set firm boundaries in place. I think there are very serious issues here at play so I would strongly suggest couples counselling. Query: I lied and told my new girlfriend that I was really experienced in bed. Now I am dreading having sex with her for the first time. I'm 25. How do I fix this without looking like a complete idiot? Answer: Don't overthink it. Your girlfriend will be equally as nervous so don't worry about her critiquing you in bed. Focus on finding out what you both like. And have fun. Query: My wife walked in on me using a masturbation sleeve and told me she'll ever be able to look at me the same again. Answer: Sex toys are a great way to enhance your sexual experiences. Let her know you respect her feelings but want to understand why she is upset. Does she see it as a threat to your relationship or feel like you betrayed her? Talk and go from there Email your problems to: Denise Smith
Buzz Feed
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Dax Shepard Recalls Eric Dane Fight At AA Meeting
It sounds like Dax Shepard's relationship with Eric Dane got off to a seriously rocky start. For context, Dax and Eric are two actors who have both talked openly about navigating addiction struggles in the past. And as they were both in the midst of their sobriety journeys a few years ago, they found themselves attending the same Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at their shared sponsor's house in Bel Air. During this week's episode of Dax's Armchair Expert podcast, AA wound up being a big topic of conversation as he was joined by Brad Pitt, another star who's been open about giving up alcohol in the past decade. And so, as the men reflected on their experiences with AA, Dax recalled a heated moment between himself and Eric. 'Eric Dane, who I now fucking love, I have such a sweetness for him now… But when we first were around each other, it was not good,' Dax began, recalling that the altercation kicked off after Eric 'threatened a dude' who was continuously resetting the timer while someone else was talking. '[Eric] goes, 'If you hit that timer again, I'm gonna fucking throw you in that candle,'' Dax recounted. 'And I go, 'That's it, motherfucker. Stand up, let's go outside.' I'm gonna beat the fuck out of him in Tom's driveway — at an AA meeting where we're coming for healing and understanding.' Looking back, Dax laughed at the absurdity of it all, saying, 'It's quite a hilarious beginning for us, because now I love him.' As you may know, this isn't the first time we've heard this. Dax and Eric actually talked about it together during a June 2024 episode of the Armchair Expert podcast, in which Eric told his side of the story. 'Somebody I brought to the meeting with me was sharing and just did not stop, and there's a timer, and Dax's friend, his sponsee, actually, who I didn't know, was running the timer and he kept resetting the timer to, like, 15 seconds every time this guy would go over,' he recalled, admitting that the person he brought 'probably shouldn't have been at that meeting' for one reason or another. 'I was not in the best space, let's just say that,' Eric added, joking that Dax probably would've beaten him if they'd actually come to blows. 'I may not have even been sober at the time.' Well, that's one way to start a friendship! You can listen to Eric's episode of Armchair Expert here, and the most recent episode with Brad Pitt here. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, you can call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) and find more resources here.
Dublin Live
29-05-2025
- Dublin Live
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre receive 'hugely concerning' record number of calls
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Calls to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre reached a record high last year, the organisation has revealed. The almost 23,000 contacts made to the centre's helpline in 2024 represented the highest in the DRCC's 46-year history. The figures were contained in the organisation's annual report published on Thursday. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, who will launch the report in Dublin on Thursday morning, said the figures were 'hugely concerning'. He said: 'Sexual violence is a crime that has historically been under-reported and this is something I am committed to addressing, and something that is changing as complainants become more confident in our justice system. 'Many of the figures and statistics in this latest report from Dublin Rape Crisis Centre are hugely concerning but I am encouraged that a significant percentage of those who seek support from DRCC also report to An Garda Siochana.' Mr O'Callaghan commended the 'excellent work and unwavering commitment' of the centre. Chief executive of DRCC Rachel Morrogh said contacts with the helpline broke the 20,000 mark for the first time in 2024, reaching a total of 22,700. She said: 'In fact, engagement with the National Helpline increased by over 20% from 2023, bringing the number of contacts to almost 23,000. There are likely a number of drivers behind the increased demand for our 24-hour listening service, including that survivors feel increasingly confident about where to find non-judgmental support, but also the reality that sexual violence is still an insidious and common occurrence in modern Ireland. 'Although we are encouraged by the marked rise in the number of survivors contacting us, we know that this is a fraction of the thousands of people living with trauma who have not yet sought support. Our message to them today is that they are not invisible to us, that they deserve support, and that when they feel ready to talk, we are ready to listen.' Ms Morrogh said the sharpest increase in activity across the organisation's frontline supports was reported by its therapy service. She said: 'Dublin Rape Crisis Centre's counsellors held almost 6,000 counselling sessions with survivors, an increase of 57% compared to 2023. 'Specialised counselling unlocks healing for many survivors of sexual violence and we are proud to have supported 637 women and men last year. The number of therapy clients increased by 28%, or 140 people. While many people choose not to make a report to An Garda Siochana about what happened to them, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre therapy clients do so at much higher rates than the national average. "The Central Statistics Office has reported that tiny numbers of people who have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime have reported it to the Gardai. There are many reasons for this, ranging from a fear of not being believed or thinking they are in some way to blame or that what happened was not serious enough. Amongst our new therapy clients last year however, the reporting rate was 27%. 'We are honoured to support our clients through the justice system, which can be a very difficult process for many. Every time there is a conviction and sentence for a sexual offence, we know it is felt as a victory for those who will never have their day in court or have the validation and catharsis of a guilty verdict.' The 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline is available on 1800 778888 Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Youthline Records 50-Year High In Demand For Its Mental Health Services
Press Release – Youthline Youthline urgently calls on the Government to prioritise youth mental health in the Budget In March this year alone,Youthline Auckland is reporting a massive 246% spike in access to its youth therapy services, compared to the year prior The Youthline 24/7 National Helpline is increasingly becoming a crisis response line for young people experiencing significant mental health distress. The youth mental health organisation Youthline is reporting a 50-year record high in demand for its services. It's an alarming upward trend that shows no signs of abating and is in fact on the rise. The charity is making an urgent appeal to Government to prioritise and invest in youth mental health in the upcoming 2025 Budget. Shae Ronald, CEO, Youthline, said the UNICEF Innocenti Report Card 19: Fragile Gains – Child Wellbeing at Risk in an Unpredictable World made sobering reading when it was released late last week. UNICEF's latest report highlighted New Zealand as having some of the worst youth mental health outcomes among high-income countries. 'It's just further confirmation of what we are experiencing first-hand on the frontline of the youth mental health crisis. Our own Youthline State of the Generation 2023 reported increased levels of youth mental health distress since COVID 19 and this trend is reflected internationally. 'We strongly urge the Government to focus on young people and invest in helping them get the help they need. That includes prevention, early intervention and crisis support. It requires a collaborative, all community approach, with young people involved in shaping the solutions, at the centre.' In March this year alone, Youthline Auckland experienced a 246% increase in counselling services being accessed compared to the year prior. In addition, one third of contacts to the national Helpline are now deemed high risk relating to suicide, self-harm or abuse. In the first quarter, Youthline experienced a 20% increase in high-risk contacts with a 24% increase in the number of contacts requiring external intervention, evidence of a further escalation in the severity of contacts being dealt with. However, Youthline Auckland is budgeted to make a significant loss of over $600,000 in the next year (April 2025 – March 2026). 'The reality is that our services have never been more in demand, and ironically, we're facing a big shortfall in our operational costs to keep delivering our services in the next year. We really appreciate the funding we receive from the Government, our partners and supporters that enables us to be there for young people when they need us most. We urgently need more funding to ensure we can keep being there for young people who are reaching out for help in record numbers,' Ronald concluded. Liz Hosking-Clement, Clinical Improvement Lead, Youthline, says the 24/7 National Helpline is increasingly becoming a crisis response line. 'We're seeing an unprecedented number of young people reach out for support, our reporting indicates a marked increase in the number of risk-related concerns being disclosed to our services, including risks of harm to self, harm to others, and harm from others,' she said. In the first quarter of this year, there has been a steep increase in our external referrals for emergency or very high-risk situations, with increasing engagement required with Emergency services, Oranga Tamariki, and mental health crisis teams. Hosking-Clement said the UNICEF report card around New Zealand's youth mental health was disappointing but unsurprising. 'It just confirms what our front-line clinicians are seeing every day – young people feeling suicidal or self-harming, struggling with bullying, experiencing abuse, and struggling with their mental health. Our health sector has spent a lot of time and resources telling young people to reach out for support when they need it, so we need to make sure Youthline is here to deliver and meet the demand so that we can continue to do the critical mahi when it comes to supporting and keeping our young people and their whānau safe. 'Youthline is advocating for the Government to invest meaningfully in young people as the future of our country. Young people should be able to access support easily, without confusion or delay,' said Hosking-Clement. 'This requires sustained investment in services that young people trust. Services like Youthline that are visible, youth-friendly, and equipped to respond when young people reach out.'
