LONDON, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- British pop star Lee Ryan says hard drugs almost killed him and he is urging his young fans to avoid making the same mistakes he did.
The 21-year-old All Rise singer says he realized he had to kick his drug habit before it was too late, after a friend's addiction led to suicide.
"I was a teenage drug addict," says Ryan, who admits to first smoking pot at 13 and quickly moving on to hard drugs to become addicted. "I just felt terrible, I didn't know what was going on with my body and I remember thinking, 'Oh my God, this is it -- I'm going to die.'"
Ryan said he knows he's a role model for young people and wants them to know there is nothing good about taking drugs.
"My message to young fans is, 'Don't take drugs. It can ruin your life.'"
