August 24, 2011 | 4:45 pm

Drugs aren’t the answer to Amy Winehouse’s death

Posted by Lauren Bottner, Hollywood Jew contributor

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Well, not that drugs are ever the answer, but for the troubled singer Amy Winehouse, a toxicology report proved that illegal drugs were not the cause of her death.  While the absence of illicit substances may please her family, it raises more questions than it answers as to what exactly happened to the troubled but talented “Rehab” singer.  “It doesn’t make me feel the loss of my daughter any less, but we are pleased to be able to set the record straight to a certain extent,” her father, Mitch, told British tabloid, The Sun, as reported by Reuters. 

Winehouse was found dead in her north London flat on July 23, 2011 at the age of 27, and the speculation was that it was either alcohol poisoning or a drug overdose that killed her.  British tabloids, although not the most reliable sources, claimed that she spent the days before her death using drugs and binging on alcohol. Now, at least half of that claim proves unfounded.

Still, the report didn’t specify whether or not legal drugs were found, and alcohol was definitely present, whether it played a role in her death or not is unknown.  Plus, the toxicology report was released only to her family, giving them the option to censor, or “protect” her legacy however they see fit.  We all know that legal substances can often do just as much damage as illegal, especially when abused, but until a full inquest to be held on October 26 in London, the cause of her death is “undetermined”.

The singer, who had a long history of drug abuse and addiction, was featured in both the Sun and Mirror tabloids before her death with stories of her drinking; so needless to say, she had definitely fallen off the sobriety wagon.  Mitch spoke during her funeral, saying that he believed Winehouse had “conquered her drug addiction three years ago but was trying to deal with a drinking problem” per Reuters. 

Mitch Winehouse also said he plans to start a foundation in Amy’s name to help young people battling addiction reported the Jewish Post.

So the mystery continues…