After leaving Congress, Rep. Patrick Kennedy plans to help people recover from substance abuse
By Andrew Miga, APFriday, February 12, 2010
Retiring Rep. Kennedy to help substance abusers
WASHINGTON — Rep. Patrick Kennedy says he wants to help people with substance abuse problems after he leaves Congress next year.
The Rhode Island Democrat said Friday in a phone interview with The Associated Press that he wants to focus more on his personal life after spending roughly half his life in elective office. He says he will not seek re-election this year.
In Congress, Kennedy has used his struggles with depression and substance abuse to champion better care for the mentally ill.
The son of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy has been in and out of treatment for substance abuse since crashing his car outside the U.S Capitol in 2006. He’s struggled with alcoholism, depression and drug addiction for much of his life.
