Leonardo DiCaprio warned Zac Efron to stay off drugs

**Mrs P** · March 30th, 2009, 08:02 PM

I wonder if they painted each others nails when they had this little chat.

March 31, 2009 12:00am

ZAC Efron has admitted that he was given a warning about the potential for drugs to ruin his career, by his acting peer Leonardo DiCaprio.

17 Again star Efron was given a stark warning by his acting peer on the dangers of substance abuse, which left a lasting impression on him.

Efron said: "It was kind of his way-out-the-door, last-minute advice. He said, 'Oh, by the way, if you really want to mess this all up, try heroin.'

"I said, 'Thanks', and he said, 'No, seriously, that's pretty much the only way you're going to screw this up, and you shouldn't go down that road - it will mess you up without fail. Do not do drugs.'
"That was enough for me; that's all I needed to hear."

The 21-year-old actor - who shot to fame in the hit High School Musical films - added his strict upbringing meant he didn't get into the same kind of trouble as his friends growing up.

Rather than misbehave Efron channelled all his energy into skateboarding.

He added: "I could never get into trouble like the rest of my friends. My parents were very strict and taught me good values, whenever I did anything wrong my mom would somehow know it.

"I started skateboarding as a kid - it's like surfing on the sidewalk. I love it. It's a Zen thing, so much better than walking. It's almost spiritual."