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