Police probing Jackson drug history (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Police probing Jackson drug history

4:01am Friday 10th July 2009

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Detectives investigating the death of Michael Jackson are looking at his prescription drug history and trying to talk to his numerous former doctors.

Los Angeles' police chief William Bratton told CNN that police were waiting for the coroner's report before ruling out any possibilities in their "comprehensive and far-reaching" investigation into the sudden death of the 50-year-old two weeks ago.

The coroner's report will determine the cause of death and hinges on time-consuming toxicology tests, but detectives are already gathering evidence.

Mr Bratton said the Drug Enforcement Agency and the state attorney general's office, which keeps a database of prescription drugs, were helping investigators.

Meanwhile, it has emerged friends and family of Jackson had grown increasingly concerned over the pop star's use of heavy medication in the last years of his life.

Sources told CNN that Jackson's sister Janet tried to stage an intervention but was thwarted by her brother's security guards.

The singer's friend and dermatologist Dr Arnold Klein has said he repeatedly warned Jackson against using the powerful sedative Diprivan.

Speaking on CNN's Larry King Live, Dr Klein said he wasn't surprised that investigators had found several bottles of prescription drugs at Jackson's home.

The doctor said he occasionally administered the painkiller Demerol, but told Jackson that he was "insane" for turning to Diprivan to help with insomnia.

And it appears Jackson's dermatologist was not the only one with concerns. Reports also emerged that Janet Jackson was so worried about her brother's emaciated appearance in 2007 that she tried to intervene, but was unsuccessful.

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