Ok, first, I understand and agree that the issue of drug usage and overdoses need to be publisized as much as possible in hopes of preventing even just one more death, but I'm in tears now. Watching River die made me invision my brother's death and I'm hurting to say the least. However painful it is though, I see the necessity for the graphic reenactment. I'm wondering though...was the 911 call reenacted too or was that really Joaquin? It didn't really take five minutes for someone to call, did it? I find it hard to believe his family and friend just stood around for five minutes at watched. Nope, don't buy that one. I'm glad I saw it, it answered ?'s I had about my brother's death. Although, my brother didn't suffer like that since he injected it, he died instantly.

hi ekoo,

sadly, yip, its been widly puplisized from day dot that the group took at least 5 minutes to call the ambulance and that river could have been saved...very sad but i can imagine why they didnt,
you dont honestly think, in a million years, that your brother is going to DIE in front of you. With river being famous im guessing it was more a case of "whats going on?!" then "he's goin to be ok" then "he'll be okay in a minute, he'll be okay in a minute" then "shit, hes really in trouble but if i call an ambulance and hes okay then his career is ruined and he'll be mad at me!" then "oh no, gotta do it now!"
heart-breaking.

It was Joaquins actual 911 call, i've (sadly) heard the full version and that was part of it, i wont forget it in a hurry

i already posted my thoughts on the programme in your origional thread...

Thanks, Rikki.

Wow, Joaquin sounded so young, how old was he? More than thinking about Riv's career I think shock took over Joaquin if it really took five minutes to call. I'm still having trouble buying that one because at a moment like that I doubt they were thinking anything other than "what's going on?" and "please help my brother". Instinctively, he and Rain only saw their brother and not "the movie star". That's why I'm sure their instinct and one and only thought was getting him help. Not sure about the five minute thing but IF that's true, then some other factor was at play like perhaps it drew such a big crowd people couldn't get through to call sooner or simply he froze with fear and shock. Who knows. But, as someone who's been through it, I know his career never entered their minds.


One thing that really bothered me about the episode is that his friends haven't seemed to learn a damn thing. I couldn't believe they were referring to eight balls (or any drug for that matter) as "great when it's good". HUH? The thing they should have learned and therefore preached for the young teens watching is "drugs kill". Period. That bothered me a lot. He did also say, "when it's bad it's deadly" but to give the message that it's "great" at anytime is wrong.

I can't believe I missed this! I am so upset. Does anyone know if it is available on DVD? Also, to anwer the question about Leaf's age, (sorry, couldn't resist calling him Leaf!) he was 19.

hey,

our friend Alex up loaded it to youtube but only for a short time, she has now up-loaded it to sendspace....will try and get the link for you!

Ekoo, i agree...was more than likely the shock of it all, i imagine that 5 minutes is indeed enough time to save someones life but not enough time to get your head together and work out what you REALLY need to do in such trauma....so sad

Thanks Rikki. I am totally kicking my self for not watching it. I would be forever grateful!

When the guy said it's great when it works, and when it doesn't you die, I felt he was only trying to explain the effect of the eightball so that one can understand. I didn't feel he was glorifying it I just felt like he was trying to explain the effects of it so that you could see why River would even wanna take these two combinations of drugs at once.

According to this program and to my knowledge of almost losing a loved one to an OD, when he first took the spped ball he barfed and someone gave him Valium, and the beat goes on. He had been somewhat clean for awhile, and his heart went haywire. He was dying 45 minutes before he was pronounced dead, and was lying on the Viper floor in a fetal position. Is the people there were not holding drungs, I am sure someone would have called for help for him and he might not have died. It is sad to think, but my loved one got help right away and although they thought it was a heart attack from mostly the cocaine, he is fine now. People did not recognize River, and like I said, there was explaining to do as someone was selling and many were holding. Kinda sad I think! I loved the guy, so sad to die so young.
Alamorosa

Oh, it certainly was a tragedy that River had to pass at such a young age.
It seems like more of a tragedy since it seemed he had his whole life ahead of him. The potential was definitly there for such a young talented person.
However, the truth is that one out of one of us will die. And that thought doesn't always thrill me, but its true.

anyone have the link?

CAN ANYONE HELP ME. I REALLY WANT TO SEE THE FINAL 24 OF RIVER PHOENIX. RIKKI SAID SHE WOULD SEND ME THE LINK BUT I THINK SHE MAY HAVE GOTTEN BUSY....(I STILL LOVE YOU RIKKI NO OFFENSE. I REALLY WANT TO SEE THIS... IF ANY0ONE CAN EMAIL ME THIS THAT WOULD BE GREAT.... HERE IS MY PERSONAL EMAIL.... HOTPINK842002@HOTMAIL.COM. U KNOW THAT i AM A TRUE FAN IF I AM GIVING GOD AND EVERYONE MY EMAIL.... PLEASE I WANT TO SEE IT.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I DON'T HAVE CABLE CAUSE MY MUM AMD DADDY CAN'T AFFORD IT . THAHKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP RIVER FANSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go to www.myspace.com/ripriverphoenix, you can see the final 24 on there.

Ekoostick I am very sorry to read that your brother died from drugs as well as river,this just goes to show that it really is a universal disease is'nt it? Another crazy addiction to lethal man made concoctions.