(Originally ran Aug. 29)

Judging from the comments posted on the TBO.com story and other Internet forums, few bought Stone Temple Pilots and Live Nation’s claim that inclement weather kept the band from traveling to Tampa for last Friday’s scheduled show.

Judging by those same comments, most observers blamed the no-show on STP singer Scott Weiland, who has a history of drug-related arrests and rehab stays.

What struck me, though, was that in amongst the flaming - and who could blame fans who went to the trouble and expense of going to the show only to be told at 10:15 p.m. that the band wasn’t going to show? - was genuine concern for Weiland.

Some of it sounded sympathetic ("I pray Scott is OK.") while some was of the tough-love variety ("Get the needle out of your arm, Scott!"). Sure, some wrote him off as a hopeless junkie, but more than I would have expected showed compassion.

It’s all pretty glamorous when it’s lines of blow and magnums of Moet aboard a private jet. It’s considerably less attractive when the singer’s indecipherable, the guitarist can’t remember the changes, and the drummer’s puking behind the riser.

This isn’t a “just say no” column. I’ve said yes too much in my life to get away with that. But I’ve known a few addicts and alcoholics, and I know enough about them to know they don’t stop until they’ve had enough. And how much enough is varies from addict to addict.

I know people who have had what seems like enough for anyone, drinking and drugging themselves out of marriages, jobs and life savings not to mention their dignity and self-respect. They rack up strings of rehab stays, staying clean for a while but never quite making that vital psychic change.

I don’t know Scott Weiland, but I hope he’s had enough.