MTV's anti-drug stand
Spencer Mills
Issue date: 10/23/09 Section: Life & Times
Adam Goldstein was introduced to addiction at an early age. Better known as DJ AM, Goldstein lived a short and tremulous life. While he was still young, his abusive father died from AIDS, which he contracted doing drugs. Goldstein ballooned up to 300 pounds at one point before undergoing surgery to help him lose over 100 pounds. He was addicted to cocaine and heroin, and attempted suicide, even going as far as pulling the trigger of a gun in his mouth, but the gun jammed. He dated celebrities Nicole Richie and Mandy Moore, among others. He survived a plane crash alongside good friend Travis Barker, the drummer for Blink 182. His documentary-style television show, Gone too Far, he intervened in the lives of many teenagers addicted to drugs. And, sadly, during the filming of this show he was found dead in his New York apartment of an accidental overdose.
Gone too Far premiered on Oct. 12, amidst much controversy. Goldstein had just recently passed away due to that which he was so avidly working to prevent through the program. This irony did not alter the decision of MTV executives, who aired the show as originally planned, hoping that, despite the host's fallibility, the message that the program preaches could still reach a wide audience.
The program offers an in-depth look into teenagers' addictions and how they affect their families, their social lives, and their own health. Goldstein uses his own life experiences to gain the trust of the young addicts. He then talks to their families to set up interventions, wherein distraught family members are able to express their concerns to the teen. Finally, with the help of professional counselors, Goldstein takes the teens to rehab, where he continues to monitor their progress and rewards them when they make significant improvements. The show is quick to point out that addiction is very dangerous and that addicts will continue to suffer with the disease for the rest of their lives.
MTV made a bold decision when they decided to go ahead with the series Gone too Far. The graphic, unrelenting portrayals of drug use, along with the host's almost hypocritical death, were both reasons for the show not to run. MTV decided, however, to take a stand and air the show with the hope that it could change viewers' lives for the better.
Gone too Far premiered on Oct. 12, amidst much controversy. Goldstein had just recently passed away due to that which he was so avidly working to prevent through the program. This irony did not alter the decision of MTV executives, who aired the show as originally planned, hoping that, despite the host's fallibility, the message that the program preaches could still reach a wide audience.
The program offers an in-depth look into teenagers' addictions and how they affect their families, their social lives, and their own health. Goldstein uses his own life experiences to gain the trust of the young addicts. He then talks to their families to set up interventions, wherein distraught family members are able to express their concerns to the teen. Finally, with the help of professional counselors, Goldstein takes the teens to rehab, where he continues to monitor their progress and rewards them when they make significant improvements. The show is quick to point out that addiction is very dangerous and that addicts will continue to suffer with the disease for the rest of their lives.
MTV made a bold decision when they decided to go ahead with the series Gone too Far. The graphic, unrelenting portrayals of drug use, along with the host's almost hypocritical death, were both reasons for the show not to run. MTV decided, however, to take a stand and air the show with the hope that it could change viewers' lives for the better.
Be the first to comment on this story