Posted on 04/15/2008 1:55:06 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Rep. Kennedy Says Mental Health, Drug History Makes Him Stronger Advocate
Tuesday , April 15, 2008
AP
WASHINGTON — Rep. Patrick Kennedy says his personal struggles to recover from depression, alcoholism and substance abuse have made him a more compelling advocate in Congress for improved mental health care coverage.
The Rhode Island Democrat, a son of Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, played a leading role winning House passage last month on a bill to expand coverage for people needing mental health and addiction treatment.
"My own story gave a lot of my colleagues a comfort level to tell me their own stories, privately," he said in a recent telephone interview with The Associated Press. "In the process it tied them into this debate personally in ways I think that gave traction to this legislation early on."
Kennedy, 40, crashed his car into a Capitol barricade in the middle of the night nearly two years ago, and agreed to a plea deal on a charge of driving under the influence of prescription drugs. He speaks publicly about his own recovery in hopes of ending the stigma of mental illness that prevents people from seeking treatment.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Now you’re talking.
Not saying they are evil or anything, just that they shouldn't be in public office where good judgment is needed and so is a stable mind. I really wish voters would understand that.
There may be drunks and drug users in congress, but hard to imagine they're drunk or drugged enough to tell Kennedy about it.
He's making this up.
Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Following in the footsteps of dear ol’ dad. I guess nothing jr. could do now could ever top his dads criminal act! Nothing like being RICH, OH, did I imply that democrates are rich?
"That's ma'boy!"
So it’s official. They’re all crazy, drunken junkies.
Drugs, alcohol, and mental illness make him a good Congressman - why don’t we just find 400+ street bums to do the job?
A distinct possibility. I forgot that this was a public statement by a politician.
In truth, the US does need something of a revolution in health care for the mentally ill. And not just a revolution in medicine.
The mentally ill should neither be in court, directly or indirectly, nor should they be consigned to the penal system. They should not be allowed in public unsupervised by a responsible person.
Using the old standard, if the mentally ill represent a threat to themselves or others, then they should be under supervision, of some sort.
A standard, objective test should be devised to determine if a person is able to function in society. Importantly, the test cannot be reliant on literacy, muscular function or coordination. It also does not apply to individuals who are otherwise functional, but are inherently dangerous.
A reclassification of mental illness needs to be conducted, resulting in a classification system for the public welfare, not the welfare of the mentally ill.
As I said, a revolution is needed. The current means of dealing with mental illness no longer performs adequately to either protect society or the mentally ill.
What a family of wackjobs!
Makes him a typical kennedy
Patrick Kennedy: “As an inmate, it’s my right to take over the asylum!”
Is this the Kennedy who had the babysitter problem a while back? If so, you can see what’s coming up next!
then I’m sure Jeffrey Dahmer would have been a great ‘advocate’ for young (tasty) asian men and Jeremiah Wright would be a great ‘advocate’ for public health since he has personally seen how traumatic AIDS has been on the black community since the CIA introduced it in the 1980s.
But seriously, Patrick Kennedy is a tool. He should have been in jail. Scooter Libby surely would have been prosecuted for the actions which Patty Boy confessed to and even Sidney ‘Sid Vicious’ Blumenthal apparently couldn’t avoid sentencing for the sale offense.
Aww. Poor Patches.
another kennedy useless eater that would be of more service to the world if he were inspiring the cabbages instead of adding to global warming with his abgas...
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