News (Media Awareness Project) - CN ON: Premier Proud Health Minister Admits Drug Use |
| Title: | CN ON: Premier Proud Health Minister Admits Drug Use |
| Published On: | 2006-05-13 |
| Source: | Guelph Tribune (CN ON) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-14 05:18:07 |
PREMIER PROUD HEALTH MINISTER ADMITS DRUG USE
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said yesterday he's proud of Health
Minister George Smitherman, who has admitted that he conquered an
addiction to illegal drugs 10 years ago before entering politics.
"I've always been proud of George Smitherman, whether in his capacity
as a public representative or his capacity as a minister of health,
and I'm even more proud of him today," the premier said.
"He had a heck of a challenge before him and he overcame that challenge."
Smitherman, 42, has admitted he took stimulants used as "party drugs"
in the early to mid-1990s.
He said coming clean was a way of "being me" and he wanted to
encourage others to make the same positive decision.
"I hope there are some people out there who can read that story and
it can help put their situation in a better perspective and give them
a little bit more power to charge through it," he told the London Free Press.
Smitherman said yesterday he hadn't spoken to McGuinty about his past
yet but he has heard from other political colleagues, including
Opposition Leader John Tory, who sent him a supportive note.
He said he expects some people might use the information about his
addiction to drugs to attack him politically.
"Politics is politics. You can anticipate some people will be playing
games like that. I am not concerned about it," he said.
McGuinty said Smitherman's decision to speak out should be an
inspiration to others.
"It took a lot of courage for him to own up to that and be public
about that," he said.
McGuinty said the announcement doesn't make him rethink whether he
should have known about Smitherman's past before he became a cabinet
minister three years ago.
Smitherman said his past drug use was triggered by stress following
the long decline of his father, who died seven months after suffering
a massive stroke.
He said he was working at a camera shop while addicted, and his
ambition to seek public office motivated him to get help.
He's been drug-free for 10 years.
- - Canadian Press
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said yesterday he's proud of Health
Minister George Smitherman, who has admitted that he conquered an
addiction to illegal drugs 10 years ago before entering politics.
"I've always been proud of George Smitherman, whether in his capacity
as a public representative or his capacity as a minister of health,
and I'm even more proud of him today," the premier said.
"He had a heck of a challenge before him and he overcame that challenge."
Smitherman, 42, has admitted he took stimulants used as "party drugs"
in the early to mid-1990s.
He said coming clean was a way of "being me" and he wanted to
encourage others to make the same positive decision.
"I hope there are some people out there who can read that story and
it can help put their situation in a better perspective and give them
a little bit more power to charge through it," he told the London Free Press.
Smitherman said yesterday he hadn't spoken to McGuinty about his past
yet but he has heard from other political colleagues, including
Opposition Leader John Tory, who sent him a supportive note.
He said he expects some people might use the information about his
addiction to drugs to attack him politically.
"Politics is politics. You can anticipate some people will be playing
games like that. I am not concerned about it," he said.
McGuinty said Smitherman's decision to speak out should be an
inspiration to others.
"It took a lot of courage for him to own up to that and be public
about that," he said.
McGuinty said the announcement doesn't make him rethink whether he
should have known about Smitherman's past before he became a cabinet
minister three years ago.
Smitherman said his past drug use was triggered by stress following
the long decline of his father, who died seven months after suffering
a massive stroke.
He said he was working at a camera shop while addicted, and his
ambition to seek public office motivated him to get help.
He's been drug-free for 10 years.
- - Canadian Press
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