[img]
http://www.patrickkennedy.house.gov/ver ... 6}_Web.jpg[/img]
There are many important issues affecting Rhode Islanders that I work on in Washington as your U.S. Representative. Here you will find my positions on many of these issues, including legislation that I am working to pass in Congress. I have also included many links to other state and federal agencies to help you with any questions that you may have related to the government, their services, the law or proposed legislation. Please use this website and my district and Washington offices as resources to learn about our government, laws and the services available to you.
Excerpts..
Addictive disorders are a form of mental illness and need to be treated, not criminalized.
Congressman Kennedy launched the Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus in the 108th Congress, along with fellow lawmaker Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.). In establishing the caucus, Kennedy cited the need to promote awareness of chemical addiction issues and increase support for greater access to treatment. It is estimated that 23 million Americans suffer from substance abuse addiction, and the Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies has found that more than half of all adults have a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking.
Moreover, the National Institute on Drug Abuse concludes that treatment of addiction is as successful as treatment of other chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. Congressman Kennedy feels very strongly that addiction is a disease with huge social costs and that as a society and government, we need to do much more than we are currently doing to treat it.
The caucus is the first of its type specifically devoted to chemical addiction issues. Kennedy has also championed a jail diversion program to reduce the criminalization of mental illness and supported funding for drug courts, which would effectively facilitate drug and alcohol treatment, drawing attention to research showing that the upfront costs of such programs yield major savings down the road.
***********
So, IF someone is driving under the influence of DRUGS a/o Alcohol..
They should get treatment.. not be sent to jail!!
and if said person were to kill someone or have someone die while that said person operating a Motor Vehicle is under the influence of Drugs and Alcohol... that person should not face nay legal penalties!!
Especially if that said person was on "Official Business" at 2 O'Oclock in the morning..
Kennedy said he returned to his Capitol Hill home on Wednesday evening after a final series of votes in Congress and took "prescribed" amounts of Phenergan and Ambien, another prescribed drug that he occasionally takes to fall asleep.
"Some time around 2:45 a.m., I drove the few blocks to the Capitol Complex believing I needed to vote," his second statement said. "Apparently, I was disoriented from the medication."
Kennedy appeared to be intoxicated when he crashed his Ford Mustang into a barrier on Capitol Hill early Thursday morning, said Louis P. Cannon, president of the Washington chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Remember when he shoved the woman in the airport because he didn't want his bag Xrayed??
Rep. Patrick Kennedy won't face charges in airport guard encounter
By Tom Verdin, Associated Press, 5/16/2000 15:10
LOS ANGELES (AP) Rep. Patrick Kennedy won't face any charges stemming from his encounter with an airport security guard, the city attorney's spokesman said Tuesday.
The Rhode Island Democrat had been accused of battery by Los Angeles International Airport security guard Della Patton, 58. She said Kennedy shoved and grabbed her on March 26 after she told him his bag was too big to fit through an X-ray scanner.
*****************************************
Questions, I have..
What Doctor is going to precribe Ambien to a known and admitted Drug addict??
(Ambien is for short-term use only--usually 7 to 10 days. Longer-term use must be monitored closely by a doctor.)
**Kennedy spent time at a drug rehabilitation clinic before he went to Providence College. He has been open about mental health issues, including being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.**
Why would you take a sleeping pill and then go driving?
Why was there NO Sobriety test?
-If you or I or a Rodney King were pulled over after this accident, do you think we would get a sobriety test?
What are the Odds that a known Drug Addict with serious mentall illness problems with multiple drug related incidents will be re elected.??
I would say, he will win the next election in a LANDSLIDE!!
****
