Jackson’s Band: Cross ‘Drug City’

Jackson’s Band: Cross ‘Drug City’

SYDNEY’S Kings Cross has been dubbed the world’s worst drug scene by six of super pop star Michael Jackson’s entourage.

The six young men, including Marlon Brando’s son took time out from rehearsals yesterday to give public support to Narconon, a Gold Coast drug rehabilitation program.

A spokesman for Narconon, Mrs. Jenny Kiggins, said the group was non-profit, non-religious and used drug-free withdrawal methods. It had 17 centres around the world and will open a Queensland centre in Tallebudgera Valley in January.

Jackson’s keyboard player, Rory Kaplan, said: “When you are in the band scene you become more aware than most people of the drug problem – especially among young people.

“I have seen musicians who use cocaine waste up to $50,000 a year.

“Then there are the people you see in LA who are on skid row because of heroin.

“But I have to admit – and I have seen New York and many other places – that Kings Cross was frightening.

“None of us in the band have ever seen so many people spaced out at the one time – and that was at 10 o’clock at night.

“Also everyone of the band was asked if they wanted drugs, if they wanted to score, as they walked through the Cross.”

“You have a bad drug problem there – hopefully places like Narconon will be able to help change it.”

Miko Brando, Marlon’s son and an artist’s assistant with the band, said the drug scene in the United States was becoming an “uncool” scene.

Dorian Holley, a singer, said: “America is waking up – drugs are a terribly seductive thing. Today, LA musicians are so anti-drugs most don’t even drink or smoke.”

Eddie Garcia, a dancer, said: “I’m 18 years of age and can assure all young Australians that anyone using drugs in high school back home is put down by the rest of the students.”