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Celebrity Addict Expert Drew Offers To Be Sierra's Advocate
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Published: December 12, 2007
Updated: 12/12/2007 06:10 pm
VIDEOS: Arrest Video | Jail Video | Court Video
Read The Report | Previous Coverage | Dr. Drew's Website
TAMPA - Celebrity addictions specialist Drew Pinsky - famous for his preppy attire, wire-rimmed glasses and scholarly answers to difficult questions - said he is willing to come to Tampa to advocate for fallen "American Idol" contestant Jessica Sierra.
Before her Dec. 1 arrest, Sierra had completed taping for a new VH1 show "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew." The reality show is expected to air in January.
Her next court date is Dec. 20.
"I have made myself available," Pinsky told The Tampa Tribune. "If I can get her to a therapeutic environment, court-ordered, it would be a good thing for her."
Sierra has remained jailed since her arrest.
Pinsky said he is still discussing with Sierra's attorney, John Fitzgibbons, whether his help is necessary.
"I haven't got plane tickets yet," Pinsky said.
According to police reports, Sierra, 22, was kicked out of Full Moon Saloon in Ybor City. Outside the club, Sierra continued to cause a disturbance by trying to get back in and harassing patrons on the street, authorities said. When police intervened, she became combative, they said.
In a police car, reports state, she vomited, cursed, yelled racial slurs and offered a sexual favor to an officer if he would release her.
The arrest, police say, violated Sierra's probation for an April arrest at Hyde Park Café. Sierra had pleaded no contest to cocaine possession and felony battery charges. Police said she hit a man with a bar glass. At first, Sierra claimed the man had spit on her. She later said she might have mistaken him for someone else.
Pinsky said Sierra was "courageous" as a patient while taping the reality show. Addictions, he said, are difficult to overcome.
"Sometimes, you have to re-treat and re-treat and re-treat," he said.
Pinsky said public perception of Sierra and of a reality show based on substance abuse rehabilitation will change when people see the show.
"You need to watch what she does," he said.
Sierra, Pinsky said, was "on the street" and doing drugs before she sought treatment. He confirmed that Sierra made some "very poor choices" including a videotape that he described as symptomatic of her addiction. Pinsky and Sierra discuss the video during a therapy session on the reality show, he said.
"All I can say is she was actively in her disease, trying to survive on the street and this is something she did," Pinsky said.
Sierra was not necessarily homeless, Pinsky said, but was staying with random friends without a permanent home. He said he understands that this low point in her life occurred after her 2005 stint on "American Idol."
TMZ.com reports that a major porn company is preparing to distribute a Jessica Sierra "sex tape."
Asked whether he is still Sierra's doctor, Pinsky balked.
"I consider myself her advocate," he said after much thought. "If she were to ask me to be her doctor again, I'm willing to be."
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