14 replies to this topic

[Terrence]

After seeing the clip of his tearful reunion with Whitney on Thursday night at Kelly Price's party, this news just hurts my heart. Come on El, get it together man!

From TMZ:

El DeBarge ARRESTED for Drug Possession

"Rhythm of the Night" singer El DeBarge was arrested for drug possession in L.A. yesterday ... and cops believe El may have been trying to deal the junk.

El was popped around 2 PM in Encino, CA ... after LAPD officers observed him participating in what appeared to be a drug deal with another man near the 101 Freeway.

DeBarge was arrested for possession of narcotics with intent to sell. It's the 3rd time El has been arrested for drug possession since 2001.

He was hauled to a nearby jail where he was booked and released on $30k bail. El is due back in court next month.



http://www.tmz.com/2...rug-possession/

[truthspeaker06]

oh lord, this truly does hurt my heart. I've been & will continue to pray for him and his entire family. They all have significant substance abuse issues.

[richardlondon]

My reaction was less charitable.

I do not understand why someone with such a high profile battle with substance abuse was allowed to be in a position to party with a drug dealer.

For all the "Love" that surrounded Whitney, there does not seem to have been enough care or intelligence.

I appreciate that El may have his own issues and be deserving of support. I have no issue with that.

Even if it turns out that the toxicology report is clear, it was playing with fire to allow her to get into that situation with such characters. Everyone involved with her closely would have known what was going on. Nobody cared enough or had the power to stop it.

[NippyFanNy779]

I'm not surprised by this I knew that his run in with Whitney and then her untimely passing would cause one of two things to happen...either he would never touch the stuff again and truly turn his life around...OR his emotional meeting with her and then her passing would spin him out of control and he would feel grief and go right back to the old comfort of the drugs.

I'm sorry to hear this and it truly breaks my heart. The world was giving him a second chance that they seem to never afford Whitney and he is just unable to break this cycle.

[liz06]

Oh El, this is unfortunate.

[truthspeaker06]

liz06, on 21 March 2012 - 11:48 AM, said:

Oh El, this is unfortunate.

VERY! all one can do is pray for him. It's not about pointing fingers or casting judgement. He's a human being with a soul & a heart & needs help.

[sinderella]

richardlondon, on 21 March 2012 - 11:28 AM, said:

My reaction was less charitable.

I do not understand why someone with such a high profile battle with substance abuse was allowed to be in a position to party with a drug dealer.

For all the "Love" that surrounded Whitney, there does not seem to have been enough care or intelligence.

I appreciate that El may have his own issues and be deserving of support. I have no issue with that.

Even if it turns out that the toxicology report is clear, it was playing with fire to allow her to get into that situation with such characters. Everyone involved with her closely would have known what was going on. Nobody cared enough or had the power to stop it.

See I dont believe anyone can stop someone from doing what they want to do...........high profile or not! I mean what of those who get others to do that job for them? He just took a risk and got caught and its a shame. Unless someone wants to help themselves, there is little anyone around them can do.

With Whitney, I dont believe nobody cared enough cos even in the Oprah interview, she stated those who tried to step in. Those that mattered stepped in and I believed in her strong family unit. At the end of the day, she gave it up when SHE was ready and thats the best thing anyone can do for themselves.

That said I wish El Debarge well cos it is not an easy road and I hope he finds the strength. I grew up on his music and I know he wanted to come back cos I heard a song with Faith Evans and it was good.

[Petra]

sinderella, on 21 March 2012 - 03:16 PM, said:

richardlondon, on 21 March 2012 - 11:28 AM, said:

My reaction was less charitable.

I do not understand why someone with such a high profile battle with substance abuse was allowed to be in a position to party with a drug dealer.

For all the "Love" that surrounded Whitney, there does not seem to have been enough care or intelligence.

I appreciate that El may have his own issues and be deserving of support. I have no issue with that.

Even if it turns out that the toxicology report is clear, it was playing with fire to allow her to get into that situation with such characters. Everyone involved with her closely would have known what was going on. Nobody cared enough or had the power to stop it.

See I dont believe anyone can stop someone from doing what they want to do...........high profile or not! I mean what of those who get others to do that job for them? He just took a risk and got caught and its a shame. Unless someone wants to help themselves, there is little anyone around them can do.

With Whitney, I dont believe nobody cared enough cos even in the Oprah interview, she stated those who tried to step in. Those that mattered stepped in and I believed in her strong family unit. At the end of the day, she gave it up when SHE was ready and thats the best thing anyone can do for themselves.

That said I wish El Debarge well cos it is not an easy road and I hope he finds the strength. I grew up on his music and I know he wanted to come back cos I heard a song with Faith Evans and it was good.

that's the thing with any kind of addiction and a lot of people don't get it..people can literally throw you in rehab and you'll relapse the moment you come out..the decision has to be yours or it's not worth it, it's not gonna work, whether it's cigarettes or cocaine..it doesn't really matter how many people want you to quit and are there for you until you make that decision for yourself..

[bcnulater]

Just heard the story on the radio at work. It really made me sad, too. Bunny DeBarge was on the Tom Joyner show a couple weeks ago and talked about how much Whitney's passing impacted the whole family. I am praying for El and the family. They have been hard hit with addiction for many years. I hope he can conquer this.

[John-John]

It's not really uncommon for relapses to occur. I'm not excusing or defending anybody. Just the truth. It doesn't mean all hope is loss either.

On a personal note I know something about this. I shared some with another member here. 9 yrs ago I was a functioning junkie. I worked as a marketing exec for a Fox affiliate & on Friday nights I would start the party, often alone, with powder, crash on Sunday night then put on my suit for mon morning like nothing happened. Then I discovered that evil ish crystal meth. Within weeks I was "slamming" 4 nights a week while still maintaining my job. I managed for about 7 months before I got too sloppy & knew I needed help. And I got help with a 30 day program & medical leave of absence.

I've been clean 8 years. But it takes work. I still think about it especially when I'm super stressed or experience a heartbreak. Yup--Whitney's death was a test! I talk to my partner when I need encouragement or my mama & remember my child. And I've stayed clean.

But too many don't have the support system to manage. I can totally see why (NOT AN EXCUSE) El may have resorted to his "go to" comfort. Often times its more about "self-medication" than just trying to get high.

Just my 2 cents. And keeping it real. At this point in my life I'm man enough to admit the good bad & very ugly about myself without worrying too much what strangers think. People need to know the people you least suspect are sometimes going through self-created hell...and this somebody made it thru to tell the tale.

[juzly]

Bravo JJ, I'm so proud of you, and for also expressing your honesty here, you have inspired and encouraged people, not only to understand the human condition a little better, regardless of were you came from, but also help other's, with whatever struggles there going through. Thank you.

I am extreamly sensitive about this issue. I have lost many loved ones from addictions, but also i have seen my best friend, who everyone (besides me and another friend) gave up on, even his parents and they love him dearly, believe me they would have done anything, tried everything, but couldn't help, as they lost all hope, thought he was to far gone. As you know, it can effect everyone around them. The trauma, helplessness can be huge, and people handle it differently. Thank God now he lives to tell his life story, one of hope.

That's the thing, it's ones life story, our lifes experiences. In the end, if people are honest and look deep into there hearts, they will see we arn't so different after all. We all seek love, have fears, try to navigate our way thru this world and our hearts and minds etc. Understanding this, is the key. When i hear sweeping statements like, how can they waste her talents, or drug uses should know better, then i say what makes your journey through life, the roads you took, any less worthy of compassion then mine, or vice versa. We all walk in different shoes, but in the end were all walking our way through life.

Keep on moving. Much love as always.

[CJ]

That family is so talented, but they are having such trouble shaking their demons! They have all had substance abuse issues!

[Zolas]

John-John, on 21 March 2012 - 07:00 PM, said:

It's not really uncommon for relapses to occur. I'm not excusing or defending anybody. Just the truth. It doesn't mean all hope is loss either.

On a personal note I know something about this. I shared some with another member here. 9 yrs ago I was a functioning junkie. I worked as a marketing exec for a Fox affiliate & on Friday nights I would start the party, often alone, with powder, crash on Sunday night then put on my suit for mon morning like nothing happened. Then I discovered that evil ish crystal meth. Within weeks I was "slamming" 4 nights a week while still maintaining my job. I managed for about 7 months before I got too sloppy & knew I needed help. And I got help with a 30 day program & medical leave of absence.

I've been clean 8 years. But it takes work. I still think about it especially when I'm super stressed or experience a heartbreak. Yup--Whitney's death was a test! I talk to my partner when I need encouragement or my mama & remember my child. And I've stayed clean.

But too many don't have the support system to manage. I can totally see why (NOT AN EXCUSE) El may have resorted to his "go to" comfort. Often times its more about "self-medication" than just trying to get high.

Just my 2 cents. And keeping it real. At this point in my life I'm man enough to admit the good bad & very ugly about myself without worrying too much what strangers think. People need to know the people you least suspect are sometimes going through self-created hell...and this somebody made it thru to tell the tale.

I commend you for sharing your very personal story with us. It proves your strength and faith. I wish you all the strength and love around you in dealing with your temptations.

[NippyFanNy779]

EL DEBARGE
Off the Hook After Drug Arrest

"Rhythm of the Night" singer El DeBarge is in the clear after he was arrested for drug possession this week -- because the L.A. County D.A. has declined to file charges.

According to official D.A. documents, the case was rejected due to insufficient evidence.

TMZ broke the story ... DeBarge was arrested on Tuesday for felony possession of narcotics with intent to sell -- the singer's third drug arrest since 2001.

According to the docs, police officers noticed DeBarge and another man speaking on the street -- and for some reason, decided to search them ... without giving a reason why.

After searching them and coming up with nothing -- cops claim they perused the surrounding area ... and found a baggie of rock cocaine hidden under a nearby car.

The other man insisted he was there to buy the rock from DeBarge -- but DeBarge denied the accusation ... and the D.A. decided there wasn't enough evidence to make the charge stick.

[tms78]

Good for him. I hope that we (not Whitney fans specifically, but music fans in general) have learned to embrace our geniuses despite their flaws. Love them for their gift, and support them while they try to live life.