DJ AM, truly touched the DJ community in so many ways. He was a role model to thousands of artists in all walks of life within the music world. He moved with ease between crowds of A-listers spinning the latest hit traxs in the hottest nightclubs around the globe and also amongst the distraught addicts that walk the streets of “lost” America. Adam could relate to so many different walks of life period. With such good intentions, this recovering Cocaine addict (who had maintained an INCREDIBLE 11 yrs. of sobriety), set out to help other addicts attempt to bury their all-controlling habits versus themselves. Adam believed that “everyone deserves a second chance”. Sadly though, and with almost an air of premonition…DJ AM came too close to his vice and the loss of his own life to drugs became the ultimate lesson in the importance of practicing sobriety. After Adam died on August 28, there were big questions to answer including WHAT was going to happen to this reality TV show that was really his vision, his baby?

He had put SO much of himself into this show, that how could they possibly air it following his death due to a drug overdose. Yet, after much deliberation and discussion with Adam’s family, the decision was made to air the show. Tastefully, they left out all of the advertising and commercials and only used the break times to promote addiction awareness and outreach programs available (1st episode only). The first episode aired on October 12 and was received with mixed emotions. I was following many of the DJ’s reactions on Twitter. Some stated that they just weren’t ready to watch DJ AM doing this, others expressed discomfort, and some said that MTV had handled it well with including the testimony of Amy after Adam’s passing. Personally, I believe that it was right to proceed with airing this show. It was Adam’s dream to help other addicts like himself and he stated, “There is only one reason I am doing this show, to get addicts help.”

It was his dream to use his celebrity status to do some good in the world. Sadly, Adam didn’t get to witness the airing of his show. However, he did experience a great deal of good in the lives that he did touch, while creating Gone Too Far. Perhaps allowing the public to witness the ugly truths of drug addiction, in addition to knowing that the creator fatally succumbed to the all-consuming powers of substance abuse,makes this show an incredibly powerful tool in reaching addicts. Addiction can be beaten and sobriety is the only way to stop the pain, Adam notes in his second episode with “Gina”. However, proximity away from the source of the addiction MUST be maintained as Adam’s death teaches us all. In his last public interview prior to his death, in order to prove how easy it was to get cocaine, Adam went into a crack house and bought a crack pipe. He said that he started to sweat and thought to himself, “This is a bad idea”. Watching Gone Too Far is not for the faint at heart…it’s real, it’s ugly and it’s the truth. The light in all of this human agony is that AM in the end appears to be THE light. They say that the good die young and I believe this. Adam suffered his whole life and in the end the loss of his life may actually end up saving way more addicts from the clutches of despair and death….I encourage you to watch the show to respect Adam’s vision and to reach out to those you know personally who are suffering from addiction. Maybe it’s even you, step up and make a change dedicated to Adam’s memory and dream to make a difference. At 24 Adam thought that his life was over….it wasn’t and despite his suffereing he HAS GIVEN SO THAT OTHERS MAY HAVE A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE.

MTV SYNOPSIS OF GONE TOO FAR SERIES:

“Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein spent his entire adult life fighting the power of addiction. With great respect for Adam's mission and the family, friends and fans who loved him, MTV brings you Gone Too Far.
Hosted by DJ AM, Gone Too Far is an intense and eye-opening series, which reveals the devastating effects of drug addiction while offering hope to those willing to accept an opportunity to change their lives.
Each episode features Adam meeting with the addicts, friends and families to explore their willingness to change. As part of his life long struggle to overcome substance abuse, his mission was to help as many people as he could and this series was a way for him to help on a bigger level. Through interviews and self-shot video from the addicts and their families, the severity of their addiction and its impact is exposed. Adam often uncovers and reveals new information that even those closest to the addicts are unaware. Along the road to recovery, Adam made the time to see how their rehabilitation was progressing, providing a raw and honest look at their new sobriety. Each addict's path to sobriety is different and only time will tell if they will ever come back, from having gone too far.”

“DJ AM knew all too well about the daily struggle of drug addiction. The late celebrity spinner (born Adam Goldstein), who died of an accidental drug overdose in August at age 36, spent his last few months filming an MTV series called "Gone Too Far," in which he spoke candidly about his own addiction, his 11 years of sobriety and his desire to help other young addicts overcome their demons.

Now, with the consent and support of AM's family, MTV will begin airing the eight-episode documentary series on Monday, October 12. The one-hour show will air at 10 p.m. ET/PT and chronicle the lives of young addicts, ages 20-25, who are offered a chance at recovery.

Each episode features AM meeting with the addicts, their friends and families to discuss their willingness to change. The show was part of AM's long struggle to overcome substance abuse, and it follows his mission to help as many people as he could, using interviews and self-shot video from the addicts and their friends and families that expose the severity of their addiction and its devastating impact on their lives.

"After careful consideration we have decided to air the show," Goldstein's family said in a statement. "Adam felt strongly that by doing this series, he could help other addicts who were at a crisis point to get sober. Adam was fully aware that if it were not for his own sobriety, he never would have achieved the level of success and happiness he had found. Helping people in their recovery was a huge part of Adam's life. It is our hope through airing this show that people will get to see the side of Adam that we knew and loved, not just the celebrity DJ, but the honest and caring person who gave so much of himself to help others. The decision to air the show has been difficult, but we do this with the profound belief that it will inspire others to seek help."

During the course of filming segments for the show, AM often uncovered new information about the addicts that even those close to them were unaware of. He made time to check in during the course of their rehabilitation and provide a raw and honest look at their new sobriety.

"Recovery can be extremely difficult and requires constant attention," said Sean Clarkin, executive vice president of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. "But it's important to know that it is in fact possible to present examples of people who are recognizing the need for treatment and beginning that journey."

Viewers seeking additional information on substance abuse and addiction issues can log on to SubstanceAbuse.MTV.com for resources from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.”

cited from: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1623034/20091005/dj_am.jhtml

Adam, it was a privilege to have met you & I will always remember your incredible contributions to the music industry and for your humanitarian efforts in reaching out to save your fellow human being from self-destruction. RIP DJ AM.

Fetty Be