The Vivienne hid ketamine struggle to protect family, sister says

The sister of James Lee Williams, who is better known as The Vivienne, has revealed some heartbreaking details about her brother's struggles with addiction. James, a well-known drag performer who gained fame from Drag Race UK, kept his battle with ketamine addiction a secret from his family. Chanel Williams, 35, shared in an interview with BBC Newsnight that the family only learned about James's issues after watching the show. James had been hospitalized due to his addiction, but he chose to hide this from his loved ones in order to protect them. Tragically, James passed away in January at the age of 32, with the cause of death being cardiac arrest linked to ketamine use. Chanel mentioned that her brother had experienced a long period of sobriety before relapsing, a fact that the family only discovered after his death. She expressed her regret, wondering if she had asked the right questions or looked for signs of his struggles, whether the outcome could have been different. The Vivienne was recognized for his candid discussions about ketamine abuse and the journey to sobriety during his time on Drag Race UK, which aired in 2019. Chanel hopes to carry on that legacy by advocating for open conversations about substance abuse. She believes that the stigma surrounding addiction prevented James from seeking the help he needed. Chanel noted that her brother had openly discussed his past battles with addiction on the show, and it became difficult for him to admit he was struggling again, especially when he was at the peak of his career. She is particularly concerned about the rising number of young people using ketamine, which she attributes to the drug being inexpensive and easily accessible. In her interview, Chanel described the loss of her brother as the most heartbreaking experience of her life. James's body was discovered in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester, on January 5. The police confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, and a post-mortem examination indicated an unnatural cause of death. The family has been working with a substance abuse charity called Adferiad to raise awareness and combat the stigma associated with ketamine use. Chanel believes that if the stigma did not exist, her brother might have sought the help he needed. She reflected on the possibility that if they had known about his struggles or if he had felt comfortable reaching out for help, the outcome could have been different. This is why they have chosen to share James's story. Chanel and her family are also advocating for the government to reclassify ketamine from a Class B drug to a Class A drug, placing it in the same category as heroin and cocaine. She believes that some young people may view the current classification as indicating that ketamine is less harmful than other drugs. However, she emphasizes that it is not just about changing the classification; there needs to be a comprehensive strategy that includes education, law enforcement, and health services to effectively address drug use and deaths in the UK. Chanel admitted that discussing James's death has been extremely challenging for the family, but they hope that something positive can emerge from this tragedy. The UK government is currently seeking expert advice on the reclassification of ketamine, with Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson reaching out to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to express concerns about the issue. A spokesperson for the Home Office extended their condolences to James's family and friends, acknowledging the serious dangers associated with ketamine use. Chanel stated that it has been difficult to share the details of James's passing, but the family is committed to discussing what can be done to prevent similar tragedies in the future. She believes that The Vivienne left behind a legacy as a groundbreaking icon, and now it is James's legacy to help others. Chanel expressed that if she can assist even one family in avoiding the pain they are experiencing, it will all be worth it. Viewers can watch the full interview with Chanel on BBC Newsnight at 10:30 on BBC Two.