Congressman Kennedy addresses addiction

PROVIDENCE --US Representative Patrick J. Kennedy, in his first public appearance since treatment for a drug addiction, said this morning that he recognizes he faces a lifelong battle.

Kennedy was released Friday from the Mayo Clinic, where he checked himself in for treatment for an addiction to pain medication after crashing into a checkpoint barrier near the Capitol a month ago.

"On June 2, I concluded my treatment at the Mayo Clinic," Kennedy said. "I recognize that 'concluded' is not a word that I will ever be able to use when it comes to my aftercare. I have struggled with addiction and dependency for much of my life, and I remember a friend who successfully battled cancer once saying you can never say for sure that you're 100 percent cured from cancer until you die at age 95 of something else. This is true for addiction as well."

He called for the nation to improve mental health care and to eliminate the stigma of mental illness. He drew two standing ovations during his half-hour speech before 300 mental health advocates, local Democrats, and others at Brown University.

He had spent the weekend visiting relatives in Washington before returning to Rhode Island on Sunday night.

Kennedy checked into the Mayo Clinic on May 5, one day after a middle-of-the-night car crash near the Capitol that he said he could not remember. He also had been treated at the clinic over the Christmas holidays.

The accident has raised questions about whether Kennedy, 38, was drinking and had received special treatment by police, who did not conduct field sobriety tests.

Capitol Police cited him for three traffic violations and said he appeared to be intoxicated. Police said Friday they were still investigating the incident.

Kennedy called the accident "a wake up call" and said he was grateful he did not hurt anyone. He said he would continue to receive addiction treatment.

"Congressman Kennedy's doctors are encouraged by his progress and have worked with him to put in place a stringent system of after care that may include periodic visits to Mayo Clinic for continued health care consultation," the clinic said in a statement released by Kennedy's office.

The six-term congressman said he had received "an outpouring of support" while at the clinic.

"Hundreds shared their personal experience with this disease," he said.

Kennedy has been a passionate advocate for improved mental health care coverage, speaking publicly about his own battles with depression, alcoholism and substance abuse. As a high school senior, Kennedy was treated at a drug rehabilitation clinic before he went to Providence College.

He said Monday that his latest experience "has reaffirmed for me that the challenge of mental illness is a part of everyone's experience -- whether it has touched an individual, a friend or family member."

Kennedy has been outspoken about wanting to end the stigma of mental health problems, and he has been praised by mental health professionals for being open about his personal struggles.

More than four dozen Kennedy supporters, including the presidents of the Rhode Island medical and psychiatric societies, paid for a full-page advertisement in The Providence Journal on Monday showing support for Kennedy.

"No elected official in the country has been more outspoken on behalf of reducing stigma, gaining parity for mental illness, increasing access to mental health treatment, and furthering the science of the brain," the ad said.

Rhode Island Democrats endorsed an absent Kennedy for re-election a few days after the crash near the Capitol. But state Republicans have called for him to step down.

"He ought to resign because he can't fulfill his duties as congressman," said Chuck Newton, Rhode Island Republican Party spokesman. "We're a small state and we only have two congressmen, so it really matters if someone can't do the job."

Jack McConnell, a longtime Kennedy friend and adviser, said he's confident the congressman will overcome any public doubts.

"These first couple of days, he's got a job to do to reassure people he's committed to the job," said McConnell. "I think people are going to be receptive to that. When you are up front about your problems, people tend to cut you slack."

[Material from the Associated Press was used in the preparation of this report]