Pubdate: Sun, 11 Aug 2002 Source: Knoxville News-Sentinel (TN) Copyright: 2002 The Knoxville News-Sentinel Co. Contact: http://www.knoxnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/226 Author: Catherine Brunson NOELLE BUSH'S EXPERIENCE CAN BE A CHANCE TO LEARN Editor, the News-Sentinel: Noelle Bush spent three days in a Florida jail recently because she violated the terms of her court-ordered drug treatment program. She is the daughter of Jeb Bush, Florida's governor, and the niece of President Bush. Rather than gawk, it makes more sense to learn. Glimpses of Noelle Bush's struggle and her parents' pain have sparked concern that could be useful in the public debate on addiction and substance abuse treatment. Noelle Bush was arrested in January when she tried to obtain Xanax, an anti-anxiety drug, by phoning in a fake prescription. In February she entered a drug treatment program. In July she was found with prescription drugs that were allegedly taken from a cabinet at the center. A staff member at her drug treatment center alerted Judge Reginald Whitehead, who found Bush to be in contempt of court for violating the rules of her treatment program. Gov. Bush notified reporters. Noelle Bush was jailed on Wednesday, July 17, and released on Friday, July 19. The judge ruled that she should return to the treatment center. Such compassion also seems like the best course for public opinion. Knee-jerk reactions don't address the problem. It's simplistic just to blame the parents or expect families to manage problems as tough as drug and alcohol addictions on their own. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, substance abuse is the nation's No. 1 health problem. For nonviolent drug abusers, treatment programs often make more sense than prison sentences. This is especially true for those who are victimizing themselves and not society. It's essential to accept relapses and move on. Beating addiction is not an orderly or linear process. Just like someone battling obesity or diabetes, relapses do occur. We need to accept that and move on by providing them second, third, even fourth chances. Residential treatment centers have long waiting lists, and without additional public/government investment, the problem will only worsen. The Metropolitan Drug Commission, along with many other community organizations, frequently struggle to find treatment for drug-addicted patients who lack private insurance because of the shortage of treatment beds. Too many people with this disease face significant barriers and discrimination in trying to access health services for their addiction. Thanks to the dedication of many counselors and providers, many receive assistance even when the provider is not adequately compensated for the costs they incur. Noelle Bush is a reminder not to think of people with addictions as strangers. They are friends, relatives, neighbors and people in the news. They deserve the best help that science and compassion can produce. Catherine Brunson Executive Director Metropolitan Drug Commission Knoxville - --- MAP posted-by: Alex