Tiscali Celebrity

Del toro participates in drug counselling session

Oscar-winning actor BENICIO DEL TORO stunned visitors at a health centre in New York by attending a meeting for drug addicts on the premises.

The Traffic star made an appearance at a methamphetamine addiction group counselling session on Friday (03Nov07) at the Gay Men's Health Crisis Center in the city.

But Del Toro insists he was at the meeting to accompany a drug addict pal - who he befriended during filming of his new movie Things We Lost In The Fire, to help him prepare for his role as a drug abuser.

The actor is reported to have told the group, "Hi, my name is Benicio. I am not an addict, and I am not gay. I am here to support my friend."

A source tells the New York Post's Page Six, "Benicio is a sponsor to a guy who looks a little bit like Patricia Arquette. They met when Benicio was doing research for his druggie role in 'Things We Lost in the Fire' and kept in touch. Benicio is now his sponsor. But it's weird because usually sponsors are people who have been through the 12 steps and can coach you through them, not some guy who's just famous. But I guess it's sweet." (JC/WNWCPS/MT)