Michael Jackson was 'probably' in denial about drug abuse, Janet Jackson says

Michael Jackson, who died of an overdose of a powerful sedative,  was "probably" in denial about his drug abuse, his sister Janet Jackson said in an interview.

In an interview with ABC News, Jackson said the family was aware of the pop star's drug problems and in the past had organized interventions for him.

"You can't make them drink the water," Janet Jackson said. "I'm a true believer in prayer, a big believer in prayer -- but it's, it's something that you can't do for them. Something they have to do for themselves."

Asked about whether Michael Jackson believed he had drug problems, his sister added:  "I felt that he was in denial."

Jackson died of "lethal levels" of the powerful anesthetic propofol, according to a search warrant affidavit unsealed in Houston.

Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal physician, told Los Angeles Police Department detectives that he had been treating Jackson for insomnia for about six weeks. He had been giving Jackson 50 milligrams of propofol every night using an intravenous line, according to the court records.

But Murray told detectives that he feared Jackson was forming an addiction and began trying to wean the pop star off the drugs. He lowered the dosage to 25 milligrams and mixed it with two other sedatives, lorazepam and midazolam. On June 23, two days before Jackson's death, he administered those two medications and withheld the propofol.

On the morning Jackson died, Murray tried to induce sleep without using propofol, according to the affidavit. He said he gave Jackson valium at 1:30 a.m. When that didn't work, he said, he injected lorazepam intravenously at 2 a.m. At 3 a.m., when Jackson was still awake, Murray administered midazolam.

Over the next few hours, Murray said he gave Jackson various drugs. Then at 10:40 a.m., Murray administered 25 milligrams of propofol after Jackson repeatedly demanded the drug, according to the court records.

--Shelby Grad

Past coverage

Photos: Remembering Michael Jackson

360° panorama: Mourning at Michael Jackson family home in Encino

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Over the next few hours, Murray said he gave Jackson various drugs. Then at 10:40 a.m., Murray administered 25 milligrams of propofol after Jackson repeatedly demanded the drug, according to the court records.

--Shelby Grad

Past coverage

Photos: Remembering Michael Jackson

360° panorama: Mourning at Michael Jackson family home in Encino

Comments

[TheBigPicture]

Is this really headline news...

He's probably been drug induced all of these years just so he could live with himself because of his behavior with children...

[Susan]

A powerful and wealthy celebrity who "demands" drugs can nearly always find a compliant doctor. This is not to absolve the doctor (who should have refused) but it is to say that if one doctor will not comply, there's almost always some other one who will.

Drug addiction is an illness, and in Mr. Jackson's case, untreated and out of control. RIP for this tormented soul.

[Stop The Madness]

"Probably" in denial?!? This was a man who didn't take "no" for an answer. It's well known that he doctor-shopped until he found one with no integrity who would hook him up with whatever he craved. This doctor should be punished, to be sure, but let's not fail to assign blame all around.

[Compassion]

This post is addressed to "the big picture", "susan", and "stop the madness".

You are all so judgmental in your post. Think about your family and those in your family who have their own challenges. I guess you all have lived "perfect" lives all this while. I am very sure you all have some kind of addiction that you have not yet addressed in your lives [money, sex, alcohol, food, etc..]. Take a look at your own behavior and have some compassion for the human spirit and life.

Mr. Jackson is no longer with us in the human form. Learn to reflect and appreciate him for the love he shared with us through his work and charity. Get off the computer and find some "charity" to share some kindness. Remember, you too will soon be gone. Have some compassion.