The Vivienne's sister questions 'stigma' around drug use stopping them from 'seeking help' in final days The Drag Race star died earlier this year following a cardiac arrest caused by ketamine use The Vivienne tragically died earlier this year after battling with sobriety (Image: The Vivienne on Instagram ) The sister of The Vivienne raised the question as to whether the "stigma" surrounding drug use stopped them from "seeking help" from addiction in the final days before their death. James Lee Williams (The Vivienne) was crowned as the first winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019, pipping Divina De Campo and Baga Chipz to the post. They also competed on an all-winners season of the RuPaul franchise in the US in 2022. ‌ They sadly died at home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on January 5 after taking ketamine at the age of 32. James' sister, Chanel Williams, told BBC Two current affairs programme Newsnight that The Vivienne did not discuss their relapse, including a hospital stay, "to protect them", following "a really long period of sobriety". She said: "It’s hard for me because I think, if that stigma wasn’t there, would my brother have sought the help he needed? Article continues below "To think that, if we’d known, or if he’d have felt able to talk and really reach out for the help that was needed, the outcome could’ve been different. That’s why we’ve shared James’s story." The family revealed in March that the drag queen died "from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest", to raise awareness. They also said they would work with the drug charity Adferiad on future campaigns. Chanel Williams spoke out about James' struggle and questioned if stigma stopped him from speaking out (Image: BBC ) ‌ Chanel continued: "He’d spoken openly on Drag Race about the battles he’d had with addiction, and he’d come through the other side of that. "He was at the height of everything he was doing and I think, because he’d said it in such an open platform, it’s really difficult to come back and say you’re struggling again." She also said the classification of ketamine should be moved from Class B to Class A, because people "think it’s less harmful than other drugs", among other measures to tackle addiction. ‌ Chanel added: "But it’s not just about reclassification… it needs to include education, police, health, to really raise awareness. We need a strategy around drug usage and drug deaths in the UK." The Government is seeking expert advice after the illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels. While on the BBC show, The Vivienne admitted having been a drug addict for four years, saying the addiction was a "habit that caught on a bit too quick and a bit too hard". The star reflected on sobriety and previously shared: "I had to be kicked out of my house and told that I would be dead by the time I was 30. ‌ "It was the loneliest part of my life. I was killing myself… and my family don’t even know. I was pissing my life up the wall and I could’ve been dead now if I didn’t do anything about it." According to the Home Office, in the year ending March 2023 an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of ketamine, which is controlled as Class B. A Home Office spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with James’s family and friends, and all those affected by this tragic death, which has sadly reinforced once again the serious dangers of taking ketamine. Article continues below "In January this year, the minister for policing and crime prevention wrote to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs expressing the Government’s concern about the growth in the use of ketamine, and asking them to consider whether to reclassify it as a Class A drug. "We will not hesitate to act when the ACMD reports back, and, in the meantime, we will continue to work across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use and stop those who profit from its supply."