JEB BUSH: 'I KNOW THE ANGUISH'

"I know what you're going through."

It's a message Gov. Jeb Bush said he and his wife hear dozens of times
every day, from friends and strangers at all levels of society. Since their
daughter, Noelle, was arrested on a prescription-fraud charge Jan. 29, the
governor said his family has heard from hundreds of people who have seen
friends, relatives and co-workers struggle with drugs - or who have been
there themselves.

Bush spoke haltingly and guardedly Monday at a meeting of his drug-policy
advisory commission, sensitive to his family's privacy but emphasizing the
importance of prevention, rehabilitation and "consequence" in combating
drugs. His voice trailing off in midsentence, he seemed to alternate
between policy-maker and father.

"As you all know, my family has faced this issue - I'm not going to talk
about that - but because of the, to put it politely, additional publicity
that was brought to my own family, a day does not go by - in fact, an hour
doesn't go by - that someone doesn't come up to me and say, 'I know what
you're going through,' " Bush said.

"These are doctors and lawyers and accountants, people of all walks of
life, people of all races and colors and creeds. This is not something you
can isolate to one part of our society."

After the meeting, Bush told reporters, "I know the anguish - I can see
people in crowds and I can see the look. When we talk about these things I
can just . . . I can look at people's eyes and know that they've gone
through something similar."

Members of the drug policy council - made up of educators, counselors,
law-enforcement officials, health officials and other experts - listened
intently to Bush's rare public discussion of Noelle Bush's situation. They
asked no questions, but some members praised Bush for restoring budget cuts
in probation and rehabilitation services, drug courts and other education
and rehabilitation programs.

"I want to pay tribute to my wife on this," Bush said. Columba Bush had
been active in talking with parent groups and schools about drugs long
before her daughter's arrest.

"It's not easy for her to get up and talk about these things, to speak from
the heart. She's shy, first of all, more reserved," he said. "She's not a
politician, thank goodness. . . . She's a great partner on this."

Bush's top drug-policy adviser, Jim McDonough, said the number of drug
courts in Florida has nearly doubled, from 38 to 75, during Bush's
administration. He praised the governor and Columba Bush for their advocacy
of prevention education, rehabilitation and enforcement.

As he left the meeting, Bush said his daughter is doing well in
rehabilitation. She waived her right to a speedy trial and, upon completion
of the rehabilitation program, she will likely be sent to drug court. If
she's successful in that program, charges will likely be dismissed.

"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 now," Bush said. "Addictions are a
very powerful thing, and it takes over people's lives, and that's why good
treatment programs are important."

Noelle Bush, 24, was arrested at a pharmacy drive-through window in
Tallahassee at 1:30 a.m. Jan. 29 on charges of trying to buy Xanax with a
fraudulent prescription. It is a third-degree felony with maximum penalty
of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, but no first offenders get the
maximum.

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