Actress Sharon Stone has issued a stark warning about the dangers of drug abuse and the pervasive opioid crisis, sharing personal experiences of loss and a concerning incident involving her son's medical care.

Speaking at the Art House Gala honoring photographer Nan Goldin, Stone recounted losing friends to drug use during her early modeling days in New York City. "A lot of my friends are dead. Don't mess with me," the actress stated emphatically, according to People magazine.

Stone further revealed a disturbing encounter with hospital staff who repeatedly pushed for her son to be prescribed OxyContin following a ski accident requiring surgery. She did not specify which of her three sons was involved. The actress described having to persistently refuse the opioid prescription, reiterating her request to medical personnel multiple times and documenting it in her son's chart. Stone even resorted to threatening to expose the hospital's practices publicly if the pressure continued.

The actress clarified that her concern wasn't about painkillers in general, but the potential for abuse and the over-prescription of highly addictive opioids like OxyContin. She echoed the sentiments of Goldin, who founded the organization P.A.I.N. (Prescription Addiction Intervention Now) to address the opioid crisis after her own struggle with OxyContin addiction.

Stone's powerful message underscores the severity of the opioid epidemic in the United States, where over 100,000 overdose deaths were recorded in 2022. Her personal anecdote highlights the challenges faced by individuals and families navigating the healthcare system while trying to avoid the pitfalls of opioid dependence.

Stone adopted her eldest son, Roan, with ex-husband Phil Bronstein in 2000. She later adopted two more sons, Laird and Quinn.