Baldwin’s Drug Abuse ‘triggered By Dad’s Death’

STEPHEN BALDWIN’s sister ELIZABETH is convinced the actor’s descent into drug abuse was triggered by their father’s death.

The Usual Suspects star’s dad Alexander passed away in 1983 after a battle with lung cancer and the tragedy hit Baldwin, then 17, hard.

Shortly after his father’s death, the actor developed a cocaine habit - and Elizabeth is sure the two events are linked.

She tells Britain’s Closer magazine, “When our dad died it had a huge impact on Stephen. There was no father figure in his life any more.

“When you enter a world where people have a lot of money and fame, there are some who will pull you in the wrong direction. Stephen lost himself for a while.”

Baldwin quit drugs in 1989 following an ultimatum from his wife Kennya, who he married in 1990.