2. Vicious’ Mother Gave Him Heroin
Sid Vicious’ mother, Anne Beverly, was heavily involved in illicit drugs as both a user and a trafficker. It is perhaps unsurprising that Vicious ended up an addict, given that his mother exposed him to drugs as a young child. She used the young Vicious as a mule for hashish during his childhood in Spain. She would stuff his toddler clothing with packages of drugs to smuggle them back into England.
John Lydon, better known as Johnny Rotten, the lead singer of the Sex Pistols used to hang out with Vicious at his home that he shared with his mother. They would drink beers and listen to music together. On one of these nights, which was also Vicious’ birthday, his mother came over and, in front of Lydon, gave Vicious a baggie of heroin and several syringes. Lydon stated she remarked “Happy Birthday, Sidney” upon giving her son drugs.
Lydon was reportedly horrified by the exchange, but Vicious reassured him his mom meant well and knew that heroin helped him relax. Even among hard rock and punk circles, the idea of a mother providing her son with heroin at a young is outlandish. One can imagine Vicious would have no familial support in getting clean and off of drugs had he so desired.