"Unfortunately the only point of control lay with the cardiologist on Jackson's personal payroll..."

[Triana]

..."who apparently forgot his Oath when he cashed his check."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carol-cassella/michael-jackson-a-victim_b_268466.html

"But a doctor's ethical imperative is to be paid for advice and skill, not drugs or an ill-advised, patient-designed plan of care. Demerol, Adderall, oxycontin and propofol aren't stocked on Rite Aid's shelves because the margin between a therapeutic dose and a toxic overdose for these potent medications is not financially negotiable. The cardiologist who treated Michael Jackson succumbed to a blatant conflict of interest: dangerous practice in exchange for dollars. Such conflicts bleed through many layers of healthcare today, from pharmaceuticals to scientific studies to durable medical goods and, yes, even the protected realm of the doctor-patient pact. It is a shadowy cost of healthcare -- in both lives and money -- that few lobbyists are likely to decry, but a cost Congress needs to examine before finalizing our next healthcare financing scheme."


by Carol Cassella
Novelist and Anesthesiologist

[CTyankee]

1. That doctor is a criminal, period.

I believe that Jackson had been mentally ill during much of his adult life and was able to buy himself whatever his diseased brain wanted. I am deeply sorry for him. What a waste. But people like that doctor is a disgrace. If he is found guilty I hope they will put him away forever...

[Triana]

4. MJ needed help - but not the drug kind, definitely. I don't think he was mentally ill...

..just that he was a very creative and different person than most of us (which in itself *shouldn't* be a problem tho he was often ridiculed and persecuted for that which no doubt helped fuel the addictions). "Different" or "strange" does not necessarily mean mentally ill. Some of the most creative intelligent people among us are different or strange. People who really make change in the world often are - they are catalysts for change because they challenge the status quo and challenge people to further open their hearts and minds. There's nothing wrong with that - or criminal about it - though those who cannot accept those challenges often try to make it or define it as criminal in order to shut the person(s) down or destroy them - and that is part of what broke the man's spirit and - I believe - helped send him, after 2005 - into a further downward spiral with the drugs - and it was bad enough before that with all the tabloid rumors and innuendo.

What people who cannot accept the challenge of anyone different are really trying to destroy is their OWN fear - but they can't face it so they project malicious intent or negative definitions upon the person or thing they fear most and destroy it, instead. In the end, they are themselves still full of their own fear and in the process have destroyed another human being for their own shortcomings.

All that - and people were ALWAYS trying to get their hands on his money - in any way they could get it, and often took advantage of his good nature in doing so. He was a prime target for all and sundry narrow-minded and/or money-grubbing vultures.

All that said, MJ was obviously very addicted to some substances and badly in need of an intervention and retraining in how to handle life's issues and the persecution that almost inevitably befalls anyone who dares to be different in narrow world. Step outside that line and pay the price. And if you're black - pay the price thrice.

Sadly, I suspect friends, family, employees, or whoever, didn't want to risk being cut off from him (mostly monetarily but probably otherwise too) if they intervened - so they didn't. He'd fire people, cut off communication with them, shut them out if they confronted him. It's too bad the family couldn't get near him to confront him collectively with the issue. I guess some of them tried, or so they say.

In the end, it's the doctor(s) whose main responsibility it is to provide medical care according to their charter and oath, to ethical standards, and with good judgement as physicians - all of which went out the window when the money got into their hands. As a result, Michael is dead - before anyone could intervene and it sounded like several had tried and some planned on trying again.

[CTyankee]

7. Well, all those drugs alter one's brain. I remember a friend of my mother's

who was a severe alcoholic. She had a lot of money and hired a round the clock "nurse" to take care of her. The "nurse" supplied her with booze 24/7. Of course, she died from alcohol abuse...

[Triana]

9. "nurse" - in that case = "enabler"

I'm sorry for your Mom's friend. That didn't have to happen. One of the biggest things they taught our family (there are addicts in mine) is NOT to enable an addict. Most doctors or nurses or health professionals or mental health professionals will NOT do so - well, unless they're offered a lot of moolah and they toss their ethics out the window.

Addicts are wiley - they,ll lie, manipulate, beg, hide stuff, plead, threaten, pay ridiculous sums of money if they have it (and even if they don't) or do whatever it takes to get their fix. ADDICTS LIE. That applies to all of them. That's a symptom of addiction, not necessarily lack of brain function because of addiction.

The edict, then, (or so we were told) is NOT to enable them. Don't accept their lies. Don't help them be addicts. Don't hide it for them. Don't give it to them.

In the case of any health professional, it's especially egregarious that they would do so because they HAVE BEEN TRAINED in this - but money takes precedence - like in our "health care" system in the US - same problem. It's based on profit - NOT good care.

[CTyankee]

10. My story just shows that money buys enabling.

It was strange, my mother had enticed this friend to go to Rome with her but friend took along "nurse" and stayed in the hotel room all day drinking. My poor mother was on her own in Rome (she'd been there a few times and could find lots to do). What a ridiculous waste of time...

[Triana]

11. That's true - it does. Or, it can. :( n/t

[goclark]

2. Excellent article

[Triana]

3. I thought so. And written by an anesthesiologist which lends a good bit of weight, IMO

It's the best write-up I've seen yet about how and why Murray is responsible for MJ's demise.

[CTyankee]

5. I'm not an anesthesiologist but even I know that procopol is dangerous

in any but use in an OR. Common sense would tell you that...

[Triana]

6. Of course - me too. Common sense went out the window when the $150,000/month

was offered, I suspect.

[goclark]

8. I agree