Daily Lessons from Life 27 December 2010 - US Navy Officer Leaps to His Death

"US navy officer leaps to death after Philippine drug bust - Mon, Dec 27, 2010 AFP

MANILA - A US naval officer leapt to his death at the Philippines' main airport on Monday shortly after being caught with a sachet of cocaine, police and embassy officials said.

Lieutenant Commander Scintar Mejia, 35, died from his fall after being caught with a small amount cocaine at Manila International airport late Sunday, said Superintendent Manuel Pintado, an official of the airport police unit.

Mejia, who is of Filipino descent, was found carrying the cocaine during a security search just before he was to depart for Los Angeles, said Pintado.

"He became unruly, he seemed intoxicated. He threw the sachet at the police so we apprehended him and brought him to airport security headquarters," Pintado told AFP.

The suspect appeared to have calmed down and was interviewed by representatives of the US embassy and US Navy officials, the superintendent added.

While being held overnight at the airport office, Mejia was allowed to go to a bathroom but as he was being led out, he broke away from his escort and jumped off a 10 foot (three-metre) high balcony and landed on his head."

A tragic end to a young man. Not sure what happenen as the authority could not confirmed if he tried to commit suicide or otherwise.

Lessons for me are:

1. some habits we simply could not afford to develop. Becoming a drug addict is one of those habits;

2. having said that, it is also good to learn that many drug addicts DID managed to successfully kicked the habits. Of course, the success rate is not 100% but more like the low teens. Still, if one has unwittingly devleoped the drug addiction, it is possible to break free of its grip IF one is determined enough and with the right environment, right people and right support. The key word is: IF one is determined enough;

3. if this story can help someone who are thinking of picking up the habit or someone who are trying to kick the habit to STOP thinking about it or START kicking it, it will be a death that has positively influenced someone and helped save lives! Maybe this death was not in vain.

May the deceased rest in peace and that the family be at peace unless some other conspiracies were turned up subsequently. On surface, it was an unfortunate untimely death of a young US Navy Officer.