I think there was some truth to that, but mostly from the media and older generation. Young lads of my generation loved the band. Most didn't even like Irish music, but were drawn to their music. He was brought onto Irish talks shows (one in particular) and was somewhat ridiculed, and almost shamed for his addictions His father Morris, was in the audience of this show on several occasions, and stood up for Shane, and dammed if was gonna let them rip Shane apart.