Morrow: Local addict suspected DJ AM was using drugs

DJ AM

DJ AM

Chris Webber had his suspicions about the late DJ AM one of the last times he saw him alive.

"I thought he might be using (drugs)," Webber, a 22-year-old recovering addict from Halls, says. "When you are using for so long (like I was), you can kind of tell when someone is high."

DJ AM was host of the new reality series "Gone Too Far," which stages interventions for addicts across the country. Three days after the series wrapped production, DJ AM was found dead of an overdose.

MTV questioned whether the eight-episode series should air. After weeks of weighing the issue, the channel decided it should air. "Gone" debuts at 10 tonight on MTV.

Webber will be profiled in an upcoming episode, but an air date has not been announced yet.

Webber's intervention was set in Knoxville in July, with DJ AM, his friends and family attending. When DJ AM visited Webber in Knoxville, the two bonded over their mutual addictions and battling their demons.

Later, when Webber was in rehab, DJ AM would visit and encourage him. During one of their visits, Webber noticed DJ AM's eyes. Webber says he thought the star might have been high.

"At the time, I didn't pay that much attention to it," Webber says. "He did travel a lot so he could have been tired or whatever.

"When I look at those pictures, though, I can kind of tell."

Nonetheless, Webber isn't casting stones at his late mentor. Instead, he is grateful DJ AM was an influence to get off drugs and stay clean. Webber took prescription pain pills for almost 10 years.

Webber thinks stress contributed to DJ AM's drug use near the end of his life. DJ AM was one of the few survivors of a plane crash nearly a year ago. Also, he had recently parted ways with his girlfriend.

"I'm sure it was a lot of stress," Webber says.

Terry Morrow may be reached at morrowt@knoxville.com or 865-342-6445. His blog can be found at http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/telebuddy/. He contributes to "Live At Five At Four" on WBIR, Channel 10, and "The Marc & Kim & Frank Show" on WWST-FM, 102.1.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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