R'n'B diva WHITNEY HOUSTON nearly died from a drug overdose - and it wasn't the first time.

America's THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER magazine insists the BODYGUARD star, whose bizarre behaviour at this year's (00) OSCAR rehearsals sparked a slew of press reports she was using drugs, was snatched from the brink of death by the quick action of a doctor who rushed to her side.

A close pal of the I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU singer says the shocking episode occurred months ago, when Whitney and her husband BOBBY BROWN were staying in a Los Angeles hotel. Brown, who had arranged to meet his wife, panicked when she was three hours late, and sent a member of his entourage to find her.

The pal says, "He found Whitney unconscious on the bed. He could see drug residue still in the room. There was also a rolled-up bill and a water pipe. "He was terrified to take Whitney to the hospital because he thought word might get out. So the staffer called a doctor they know who raced right to the hotel. "He found Whitney unconscious and quickly went to work on her."

And the pal adds this isn't the first time Houston or Brown have been near death after overdosing on drugs - Houston has been hospitalised after going into convulsions, and Brown's bodyguards regularly make him sit in a bath full of ice to keep him breathing after overdosing. (LE/NE/NFA)

Source: WENN