Todd Bridges appeared on The Today Show this morning to promote his new book, “Killing Willis.” As a child I grew up watching Diff’rent Strokes. Since the finale in 1986, the show’s young cast has been plagued with bad decisions and trouble with the law. Gary Coleman is constantly in the news for domestic violence or some other anger related issues. Dana Plato used porn to support her drug habit and Todd Bridges has been in and out of the papers for drug related issues. Bridges has now written a book about his life and his drug addiction.

His past is pretty devastating. He was the son of a physically and mentally abusive father. His father signed him up with a publicist that ended up sexually assaulting Todd. When Todd told his father, his dad took the publicist’s side and remained friend with his own son’s rapist.

During Different Strokes, Bridges was introduced to drugs by co-star Dana Plato.  After the show’s cancelation, he continued to use cocaine and began selling drugs to support his habit. In 1989, Bridges was arrested after a four day cocaine high, on suspicion of killing a drug dealer.  He was released, but this was only the beginning of his problems with the law. He has been arrested for possession of drugs and a firearm, burglary, and assault with a deadly weapon. During the time of his drug use he was addicted to cocaine, crack and methamphetamines.

Luckily, Bridges came to his senses and got help for his drug problems. He is 17 years sober and has begun speaking to children about the dangers of drugs. The book is available at many bookstores and has much more on Todd Bridges’ story.