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For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.
For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."
Those body image problems aside, Pinsky said the most serious problem with opiate addiction is that the drugs themselves can cause pain when the patient begins to feel that if they cease taking the medication they will be in even worse agony. "With chronic pain, once you start taking these medications, you are in constant pain," Pinsky said. "And when you have enablers around you who help provide the drugs, it makes it almost impossible to get off of them. It's like a crack addict living in a crackhouse."
On Thursday, an official confirmed for MTV News that the Drug Enforcement Administration had been called in by the Los Angeles Police Department to help in the investigation into Jackson's death. The LAPD has already removed several bags of medical evidence from Jackson's rented Beverly Hills-area mansion, and the DEA was reportedly called in to help the police investigate Jackson's doctors and possible drug use.
A number of Jackson's former friends have come forward since his death to say that they tried to help him kick his reportedly expensive, serious prescription drug habit, including spirituality guru Dr. Deepak Chopra, who has spoken about Jackson allegedly asking him for the highly addictive pain medication OxyContin, and mentalist Uri Geller, who said he tried to intervene and help Jackson get clean several times, according to The Associated Press.
In addition, during the preparation that will take place over the holiday weekend, arena officials will have to deal with an Anime Expo taking place right next door at the Los Angeles Convention Center. A number of those attendees travel directly through Star Plaza, in front of the Staples Center, to make their way to the convention center. The expo ends on Sunday afternoon.
On Tuesday, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was previously expected to move into the Staples Center to prepare for a short run at the arena that was to begin on Wednesday. But AEG Live, the controlling company that owns the Staples Center, reportedly asked the circus to set up shop later than expected.
The preparation for the memorial service will be anything but easy. The Staples Center is not located in a very open area, resting between a number of other buildings nearby. Pacinger said fans without wristbands and tickets and media without proper credentials for the service would not be allowed anywhere near the arena. Police will be enforcing the restricted area.