Pubdate: Sat, 06 May 2006
Source: Pawtucket Times (RI)
Copyright: 2006 The Pawtucket Times
Contact:  http://www.pawtuckettimes.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1286
Author: Jim Baron, Times staff reporter

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL

Confessing that he has no memory of an early-morning car crash on 
Thursday or its controversial aftermath, Rep. Patrick Kennedy 
announced Friday that he is returning to Minnesota's Mayo Clinic for 
treatment of a prescription drug addiction.

"I've been fighting this chronic disease since I was a young man," 
Kennedy acknowledged Friday, reading a prepared statement in the 
House Radio and Television Office. "I struggle every day with this 
disease, as do millions of Americans."

Kennedy acknowledged publicly for the first time that last Christmas 
he had checked in to the Mayo Clinic for treatment of addiction to 
prescription pain medication and stayed there through the congressional recess.

"I returned to the House of Representatives and Rhode Island 
reinvigorated and healthy," he asserted.

But, he said, the Thursday morning incident that culminated in his 
crashing his Mustang convertible into a security barrier near the 
Capitol, "concerns me greatly."

According to Washington D.C. news reports, Kennedy, after narrowly 
missing a collision with a Capitol Police vehicle at approximately 
2:45 a.m., struck a security barrier. He told the police officers at 
the scene that he was a congressman and late for a vote. The House 
had adjourned several hours earlier.

Kennedy, who denies drinking alcohol that night, was not given a 
sobriety test and was driven home by Capitol Police higher-ups.

Kennedy said Thursday night that he had taken a prescription 
medication for gastroenteritis and a sleeping pill and must have been 
"disoriented."

At his press conference, the six-term Democrat said, "I simply do not 
remember getting out of bed, being pulled over by the police or being 
cited for three driving infractions. That's not how I want to live my 
life and it is not how I want to represent the people of Rhode 
Island," adding "the reoccurrence of an addiction problem can be 
triggered by things that happen in everyday life, such as taking the 
common treatment for a stomach flu."

But, Kennedy said, "that is not an excuse for what happened Wednesday 
evening. But it is the reality of fighting a chronic condition for 
which I am taking full responsibility."

At the end of the statement, at which he did not take questions, an 
unidentified reporter could be heard asking, "Have you given any 
thought to resigning?"

Kennedy quietly said, "No."

During his first campaign for the 1st District House seat in 1994, 
Kennedy admitted having a cocaine problem as a youth, for which he 
received treatment. He also made public his battle with chronic 
depression. His mother, Joan Kennedy, also publicly struggled with 
alcoholism and late last year agreed to re-enter a treatment program 
and allowed her financial affairs to be put under the control of a 
court-appointed guardian after Patrick and his siblings attempted to 
take control of her finances. Other family members have likewise 
publicly acknowledged problems with alcohol and drugs.

Kennedy's father, Sen. Patrick Kennedy, issued a statement that said: 
"I love Patrick very much and am very proud of him.All of us in the 
family admire his courage in speaking publicly about very personal 
issues and fully support his decision to seek treatment.

"I have the rare and special honor of being able to serve with my son 
in the Congress, and I have enormous respect for the work Patrick has 
done," the elder Kennedy said. "The people of the 1st District of 
Rhode Island have a tireless champion for the issues they care about, 
and, today, I hope they join me in feeling pride and respect for a 
courageous man who has admitted to a problem and taken bold action to 
correct it."

Fellow Democrats Sen. Jack Reed and Rep. Jim Langevin issued 
supportive statements shortly after Kennedy's announcement, which was 
carried live on cable TV news shows.

"Congressman Kennedy's announcement is a step that took tremendous 
courage," Reed said. "I support his decision and willingness to speak 
so frankly and honestly about his very personal struggle.

"As Patrick's friend and colleague, I am proud that he is addressing 
this issue, and I know that the thoughts of his constituents in Rhode 
Island are with him," the senator continued. "There are not always 
easy answers, and I hope that this very difficult process helps 
Patrick because he has been an effective voice and fighter for so 
many important causes in Rhode Island and the nation."

Langevin said, ""I respect the decision that my friend and colleague 
Patrick Kennedy made today to discuss his struggles honestly and 
openly and to seek treatment at the Mayo Clinic. The events that have 
unfolded over the last 24 hours are truly unfortunate. To his great 
credit, Patrick recognizes that and has made the courageous decision 
to seek professional help. I hope his actions will give others 
suffering from addiction or mental illness the courage to seek help themselves.

Patrick and I have served together for many years, both in the Rhode 
Island Legislature and in Congress. During that time, Patrick has 
always been a tireless advocate for the citizens of Rhode Island. I 
know that this has been a difficult day for him, but I am proud of 
the maturity, professionalism and courage he has shown."

Not everybody was supportive, however.

Republican Party Chairwoman Patricia Morgan suggested Kennedy should 
resign his seat.

"It seems clear that Rep. Patrick Kennedy is not currently capable of 
fulfilling his responsibilities of US Congressman," Morgan said in a 
press release. "At the very least it would be appropriate for him to 
take a medical leave of absence if not seriously consider resigning 
his post all together; so the citizens of RI can have a full time 
fully attentive First District Congressman."

Ed Leather, an East Providence Republican who announced on Thursday 
that he would challenge Kennedy in the 1st District race, also called 
on Kennedy to resign.

"I have great sympathy for anyone with these kinds of problems; it's 
a difficult thing to handle," Leather told The Times. "But either it 
can not be controlled or he lacks the maturity and will to do so. In 
either case, he does not belong in Congress. I am a citizen of Rhode 
Island and the district and this is not the kind of person I want 
representing me in Congress."

Democratic Party Chairman predicted that Kennedy's announcement "will 
have no (political) impact in the short term or the long term." Lynch 
called Kennedy "one of the most prolific and successful congressmen 
we've had from Rhode Island."

He said it is very unlikely there would be a challenge to Kennedy 
from within the Democratic Party.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman