First Lady Takes Part in Drug Summit [FL First Lady teams up with Tom Ridge's wife]

Starbanner.com (Ocala newspaper) via www.myflorida.com ^ | March 12, 2002 | Victoria Langley

[summer]

First Lady Takes Part in Drug Summit

By: Victoria Langley
Star Banner.com
March 12, 2002

Florida's first lady was at the Capitol today to drum up support in the fight against drug abuse.

She and former first lady of Pennsylvania Michelle Ridge took part in the state's drug summit. The discussion focused on efforts to reduce abuse in Florida by 50 percent over five years. Experts say Florida is a leading state in putting programs in place to fight drug abuse... but programs need to get more family participation.

First Lady Columba Bush referenced her family's recent experience with daughter Noelle's arrest on charges of trying to falsely obtain prescription drugs when she said parents can't give up on their kids.

Columba Bush the First Lady commented that "Never, never, never, you know, that's the most important thing, that you are there to love them and to support them. And never give up."

[A reporter said]: "Can we ask how your daughter is doing?" Columba responded, "She's doing fine, and I pray everyday for her."

Statistics show the use of "hard drugs" like crack and heroin is down among Florida teens, but the use of "club drugs" like ecstasy is up. The federal government is appropriating nearly 20 million dollars this year for use in Florida's "safe and drug free schools" programs to fight drug abuse.

[summer]

I think FL's First Lady has done such a great job keeping a public focus on the problems of drug abuse. Maybe someday her own daughter will be able to join her in this battle. Best wishes to both.

[summer]

Bumping for index.

[summer]

FYI.

[mafree]

bump- GO JEB!!

[summer]

bttt

[nunya bidness]

What do you think about the Right to Treatment and Rehabilitation for Nonviolent Drug Offenses?

[katherineisgreat]

Nice article summer and good to hear Noelle seems to be doing well.

PING

[summer]

bttt

[summer]

I think there are different solutions possible, depending in part on the person in question and that person's history.

[Free the USA]

Check the Bump List folders for articles related to and descriptions of the above topic(s) or for other topics of interest.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

A bump for the first lady of Florida and a humane fight against drug use by the children of Florida.

[summer]

bttt

[davidosborne]

Great article thanks for the bump

David

[summer]

My pleasure. BTW, how do you like being back in FL?! :)

[WyldKard]

I think FL's First Lady has done such a great job keeping a public focus on the problems of drug abuse. Maybe someday her own daughter will be able to join her in this battle. Best wishes to both.

Yeah, and lets not forget about niece Just Say No(elle)...

[summer]

No one forgot about Noelle. If you'd read the article, you'd see that here mother publicly commented on her daughter's condition.