Gov. Bush's Daughter Completes Drug Rehab, Judge Drops Charges

AP Breaking News ^

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Gov. Bush's Daughter Completes Drug Rehab, Judge Drops Charges By Mike Schneider Associated Press Writer Published: Aug 8, 2003

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Gov. Jeb Bush's daughter completed a drug rehabilitation program Friday, and a judge dismissed drug charges against her and allowed her to go home with her parents. Noelle Bush hugged Circuit Judge Reginald Whitehead during a drug court hearing as the governor and his wife, Columba, smiled. The president's niece had been ordered into treatment after she was arrested in January 2002 for allegedly trying to use a fraudulent prescription to buy the anti-anxiety drug Xanax.

"It's been quite a challenge, and I'm grateful," Noelle Bush, 26, said during the hearing at the Orange County Courthouse. "It has been an honor to know you."

The governor refused comment, but his press office released a statement on his behalf.

"Columba and I are pleased that our daughter Noelle has completed this step, and grateful for the treatment she's received," the statement read. "She has worked hard to get here. We are proud of her efforts and love her very much."

Whitehead twice sent Noelle Bush to jail for breaking the rules in rehab. She was jailed for three days in July 2002 after being caught with prescription pills and served 10 days in October after being accused of having a small rock of crack cocaine in her shoe.

"This is your day today," Whitehead said. "I'm not here to recognize your family members or anything. They're here because they're proud of you and care about what you've done."

Noelle Bush was eligible for the drug court program as a first-time offender. If she had gone through the regular criminal justice system, she could have been sentenced to a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

AP-ES-08-08-03 1803EDT

[OldFriend]

My heartfelt prayers for Noelle and her loving family.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Dittos.

[cars for sale]

way to go girl and remember this woman did it on her own a DAY at a TIME


yeahaaaaaaaaaaaa !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[OldFriend]

You'd best hope you never need a prayer or a kindness from anyone. You are undeserving of such consideration.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I think you're being unfair in assuming that people who committed similar crimes would not have benefited from the diversion program. As the article states: "Noelle Bush was eligible for the drug court program as a first-time offender."

[Lucy Lake]

Ping.

[Dog Gone]

A year and a half later to complete the program? I suspect she'll think twice before engaging in this again.

[mrtysmm]

My prayers are with Noelle and her family. My heartfelt hope is that NOBODY makes any bad comments about her triump over this terrible episode.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

You-asked-for-it-you-got-it ping.

[Parley Baer]

I agree with the above. However what kind of story and how many did AP put out about Howard Dean's son being the getaway driver in a theft. How many stories have AP put out on the Bush daughters? Quite a few. Parley

[governsleastgovernsbest]

By interesting coincidence, I did post a story (from ABC News, not AP) about the plea bargain of Howard Dean's son.

Here's the link: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/958591/posts

[prairiebreeze]

May Nicole wisely use this as the fresh start that it is. Prayers for her success and for her family.

Prairie

[RoseofTexas]

I knew it would be the AP whores writing this article! I despise those clymers so!!

[GoRepGo]

[MrLeRoy]

Noelle Bush was eligible for the drug court program as a first-time offender.

The crack-in-the-shoe incident having been neatly covered up.

[jmc813]

WOD Ping