JEB BUSH SAYS DAUGHTER'S IMPROVING

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Gov. Jeb Bush said Monday his daughter was making
progress at a drug treatment center and that her struggle has made him more
sensitive to the issue of abuse.

Noelle Bush, 24, was arrested at a pharmacy drive-through window Jan. 29
for allegedly trying to buy the anti-anxiety drug Xanax with a fraudulent
prescription. She was admitted to a court-ordered drug treatment program in
early February.

"I think she's in better shape because of the fact she went through the
drug court system and knows that in spite of whatever the ailment is that
afflicts her, she's got to confront it," the governor told reporters after
addressing a state drug-policy advisory council.

If Noelle Bush graduates from her drug program, criminal charges will be
dismissed.

Florida's first-time offenders are often sent to special drug courts, where
they meet frequently with a judge and attend meetings before graduating.

Drug courts serve about 11,000 people a year in Florida. But last year, the
state trimmed about $1 billion from its budget, including cutting back
funds to help abusers.

The governor said Monday he wants to restore funding for those on probation
and receiving treatment in the drug court program.

Bush also said his daughter's struggle has given him new insight.

"I know being involved in this as a dad ... how pervasive this is," Bush
said. "And how when you love somebody and they're going through tough
times, how it just sucks the life out of a family."