MCGUINTY PRAISES SMITHERMAN FOR BEATING ADDICTION

GUELPH - Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said yesterday he didn't
know Ontario's health minister had a past that included addiction to
illegal party drugs, but insisted he is proud of George Smitherman's
ability to beat the problem and to publicly admit to it.

"I've always been proud of George Smitherman, whether in his capacity
as a public representative or in his capacity as a minister of health
and I'm even more proud of him today," Mr. McGuinty told reporters
after participating in the announcement of a major investment by an
auto-parts company.

"He had a heck of a challenge before him and he overcame that
challenge.... I think it took a lot of courage for him to own up to
that and be public about that. I hope that he will serve as an
inspiration to others in Ontario and wherever else who find
themselves in the grip of a drug addiction and understand that, with
perseverance and professional help, this is something that you can
overcome and that you can enjoy tremendous success after that."

Mr. Smitherman, 42, revealed earlier this week that for five years in
the early 1990s he fought an addiction to illegal street drugs that
were a part of the "Toronto party scene."

He said the drugs were not injected, but refused to identify the
substances he used.