American rapper Eminem has claimed that celebrities are able to abuse prescription drugs due to their fame.
It's a problem which is effecting large numbers of the American entertainment industry. Replacing illegal drugs, the abuse of prescription medicine is taking its toll on a unique segment of society.
Eminem knows this better than most. Stricken by grief after the death of his friend DJ Proof, the hip hop icon began abusing anti-depressants. Taking him out the game for four years, the rapper only kicked the habit recently.
Speaking to American magazine Vibe the always outspoken rapper explained that famous people are able to get hold of stronger prescription drugs with greater ease than ordinary punters.
Where you're famous, doctors will kiss your ass because they love the celebrity," he said. "'Oh, I can call up Eminem and get him on the phone right now. Oh, hi Marshall, how are you doing? Do you need that (prescription)?' There are doctors that will give you certain things just because of who you are."
Eminem recalled his dependency in explicit detail on his album 'Relapse'. The rapper even launched the record at a joke rehab centre, a reference to his time spent quitting prescription drugs.
Tragically, the habit has resulted in a number of fatalities. Michael Jackson's life was claimed by a dependence on sleeping pills, while Brittany Murphy collapsed and died at home last year.
Murphy co-starred in '8 Mile' with Eminem explaining his shock at the tragically young death of the actress. "It's crazy when you see things not just with her but just all these things that are happening in Hollywood with people in music, with people in acting," he said.
"Famous people are overdosing at alarming rates… that almost sounded like a commercial. Wow."
Eminem's new album 'Recovery' is out now.
