Any normal person says "leave the poor guy alone" but it comes with the territory - bad media when you court good media.
Don't you just wish though that he'd develop his early musical and performance potential?
But then again; how many huge stars do we all know who wouldn't be legends if it weren't for drugs or alcohol?
My instincts are... look after him; care for him; love him (Kate)...
He's a human being after all.
Who are the managers/executives behind him?
Did they only attend the Tom Parker school of management?

He's stuck now in a vicious circle though, i'm sure he reckons that people will only be interested in him because of his "legendary" drug use.
if he stops then all there will be to write about is his songs, which, lets face it, are pretty ordinary these days.

Max Clifford more than the Colonel I'd say.

The Clifford school dictates you never try to change your spots, you simply leverage the existing media myth.

The snag is that the story is "Doherty: junkie" not "Doherty: artist".

His only way out is out. He needs to get away to recover. If he stays and tries to ride it, he will burn out.

I'd much rather he effed off and came back in 5 years. But those around him presumably want to squeeze the last drop out of what they've got right now.

I hope I'm wrong... but it doesn't look like it.