Fame comes with tragic price tag
When I heard that Michael Jackson had died I had a strong visceral reaction. I could not breathe for a few seconds and my mind‘s surge protector went into overload. I could not think a lucid thought. I hurried to write a tribute to an artist who’s music I loved and admired. I first thought I would only write about the man and his music but to not comment on some of the other news around him would be like trying to ignore the elephant in the corner of the room.
His death following a recent five hour physical in preparation for his up coming return to performing for his adoring fans seems unexpected. Death after a physical or a visit to the doctor is not unheard of but one would think if there was an underlying problem it would have been picked up then.
It is now being said that Michael’s death could have been brought on by an overdose of drugs. Michael is said to have been taking Demerol, a very strong and addictive pain medication. If he was addicted to this medication it did not happen because he woke up one morning and decided to become hooked.
Fame comes with a price tag that we mere fans can’t understand. How many of us after receiving severe burns, broken bones, strained muscles, and varies other injuries have to keep performing night after night because you have large sold out audiences waiting for you. How do they do it night after night? With their money and fame they can get doctors to give them what they need to make it through the night.
Addiction is not planned but it is a seductive mistress that will make you feel good while making you want and need more and more. It will then take larger doses to get the desired results. This is how death comes to those using drugs and just like a trap snapping shut the person is lost for all time.
How can we save those that loose their life while trying to keep up the kind of schedules these people do? Doctors who prescribe medication in irresponsible ways and their patient die should be charged with murder. Even those who are found to be writing large amounts of prescriptions should be charged with attempted murder. We need not have this crime repeated EVER AGAIN!