Opinion ID: 1451051
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Horwitz' prior drug and alcohol problems

Text: Evidence from the trial and the later bar disciplinary proceedings showed that Horwitz was a chronic abuser of drugs and alcohol. In 1980 he was convicted in Florida of driving under the influence of alcohol. Horwitz admitted that he began using cocaine and other illegal drugs in 1985. In June 1987, following a family intervention session, he entered an alcohol abuse program. In 1989, however, police again arrested him for driving under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of an injury accident. Horwitz pleaded guilty to a simple DUI charge and received a ten-day jail sentence and two years' probation. Early in 1990, he underwent further treatment for alcohol and cocaine addiction. Nevertheless, on July 19, 1990, Horwitz summoned police to his home because he believed gypsies were present and would not leave. Police searched the empty home and left after calming Horwitz. By the time of the accident, Horwitz' drug problems were destroying his marriage. He separated from his wife and stayed at a motel. Horwitz admits that during this period he was using cocaine roughly every other day. He was also taking about thirty Valium pills every two days, as well as Imipramine, an antidepressant.