Elton John Says He's Helping Eminem Fight Drugs

Musician says he's helping rapper curb substance abuse

Musician Elton John said early Saturday that he's helping rapper pal Eminem cope with substance abuse issues, staying by the "Slim Shady" chart-topper's side as he deals with issues of drug addiction.

John told the BBC Saturday that he's helped Eminem out for the past year and a half as the rapper attempts to work through his issues with drugs, a battle John said Eminem is winning.

"I've been helping Eminem over the last 18 months and he's doing brilliantly," the British Press Association reported John told the BBC Radio 5Live show.

"I'm there if people want my help. If people ask for help you tell them where to go but there's no point advising people if they don't want to do it," the 62-year-old John said.

John, who has faced his own issues with substance abuse in the past, has never been shy about his own drug problems.

Eminem, formerly Marshall Mathers, admitted in May he was overdosing on drugs like Ambien, Vicodin and Valium.

The rapper, 37, came back to the musical forefront this year, starring on hit singles with rappers Drake and Kanye West.

He entered a rehab facility in 2005 to deal with his addiction.

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