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| Jeb Bush: 'I Know The Anguish' |
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Posted by FoM on February 19, 2002 at 14:53:07 PT By Bill Cotterell, Democrat Senior Writer Source: Tallahassee Democrat 
"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." Source: Tallahassee Democrat (FL) Related Articles: Bush Links His Family To Others Fighting Drugs Media Get Mixed Signals on Family Privacy Jeb Bush Urged To Reconsider Drug Law View Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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Comment #6 posted by Jose Melendez on February 20, 2002 at 06:42:37 PT:
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| from http://legal.firn.edu/muni/ptorange/script_fraud.htm FSS 893.13(7a9) PRESCRIPTION FRAUD - It is unlawful to acquire or obtain or attempt to acquire or obtain possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, subterfuge, or deception (3rd Deg. Fel). FSS 831.30(1) PRESCRIPTION FRAUD, MEDICINAL DRUGS - Whoever falsely makes, alters, or forges any prescription as defined in S. 465.031(2) for a medicinal drug other than a drug controlled by chapter 893, knowingly causes such prescription to be falsely made, altered, forged or counterfeited, or passes, utters, or publishes such prescription or otherwise knowingly holds out such false or forged prescription as true, with intent to obtain such drug, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree (2nd conviction - 1st Deg. Misd). 893.09(1) ENFORCEMENT - The Department of Law Enforcement, all state agencies which regulate professions or institutions affected by the provisions of this chapter except those specifically delegated, and shall cooperate with all agencies charged with the enforcement of laws of the United States, this state, and all other states relating to controlled substances. 893.09(4) PENALTY FOR NON-COMPLIANCE It shall be unlawful and punishable as provided in Chapter 843 (Resisting officer without violence to his person, 1st. Deg. Misd) for any person to interfere with any such law enforcement officer in the performance of his official duties. It shall also be unlawful for any person falsely to represent himself to be authorized to enforce the drug abuse laws of this state, the United States, or any other state. SCHEDULES
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| Comment #5 posted by idbsne1 on February 19, 2002 at 19:06:22 PT |
| Shouldn't she get some other indictment for impersonating her doctor? I mean, being caught abusing a prescription drug is one thing, but deceiving the Pharmacist...gotta be SOMETHING illegal in that, right? Forging a signature and stuff? Does anyone know how we can find those in jail (specifically Florida) for a simple drug possession charge? They should write in saying that Jeb doesn't understand sh*t. Noelle should be in jail like him/her, or else pardon them.... idbsne1 [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by mayan on February 19, 2002 at 15:26:23 PT |
| "It is a third-degree felony with maximum penalty of 5 years & prison and a $5,000 fine, but no first offenders get the maximum."(especially if you're the Governor's daughter & the President's niece) - anyone else with her record would have done at least "some" hard time. I'm sorry Jeb, but you don't know what we're going through. You don't know the anguish. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by FoM on February 19, 2002 at 15:22:31 PT |
| Last night on Politically Incorrect Bill Maher mentioned Xanax. Bill Maher said he has done enough illegal drugs in his past to comment and he said he was given a Xanax for a medical procedure and he was stumbling all around the office. I say, people that smoke Cannabis don't stumble at all! [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #2 posted by lookinside on February 19, 2002 at 15:21:45 PT:
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| When a politician fights for laws that destroy lives, when he, a member of his family falls under those laws, the maximum sentence should be MANDITORY! Under these circumstances, Jeb might be a little more thoughtful about throwing rocks. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #1 posted by krutch on February 19, 2002 at 15:13:13 PT:
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| "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." Gee, nobody I know struggles with good old MJ. Its a damn shame that it is illegal while all of this prescription dope that Noelle Bush is having a problem with is legal. But I won't continue. After all the Bush's deserve their privacy when they have drug problems in their family. The draconian laws that they have loudly advocated thru the years should not apply to them. [ Post Comment ] |
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