Kennedy back to work tomorrow

By John McDaid | Monday, 6 July 2009

Congressman Patrick Kennedy will be heading back to Capitol Hill tomorrow, according to a statement from his office released to the media this afternoon.

In the statement, Kennedy said, “Tomorrow, I will be returning to Washington to get back to work on the bold legislative agenda set forth by the House leadership — job creation, economic development, green energy, and health care reform. The support and words of encouragement I have received over the past few weeks certainly help to support my efforts in recovery which I take seriously every day. I am feeling healthy and strong, and I am looking forward to continuing my work for the people of Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District.”

Tags: 
Localblogging, 02871, RI

Comments

Maddie_C

Mon, 07/06/2009 - 7:07pm

hi John

I heard this story on my way home on the radio. What irks me is that it was reported that Kennedy was returning after being "treated for substance abuse". I know this is a pet peeve of mine and most folks wouldn't even notice, but Kennedy's disease isn't "substance abuse" it's addiction.

Lot's of people abuse substances. My guess is that a whole lot of our friends and neighbors intentionally abused beer and alcohol this last fourth of july, but those people do not suffer from an addiction. Addiction is the disease, compulsive substance abuse is the symptom, and one seeks to recover from the addiction.

This may seem like a minor point but its important. Refering to "substance abuse" makes it sound more like a person has unfettered free will and chooses to abuse a substance, whereas "addiction" makes it clearer that it is a disease that is a mental illness that compromises the person's free will if let untreated. so when you hear the coverage of the story tomorrow from the various media, listen for the words they choose and remember what is the right term and what is not, and why.

John McDaid

Mon, 07/06/2009 - 8:17pm

Hi, Maddie_C...
Thanks for the reminder. A lot of people who would never think of asking Sen. Arlen Specter why he didn't just "choose not to have cancer" think nothing about raising similar questions about addiction.

And to a certain extent, they can be forgiven, since medical science was, for a very long time, unable to articulate the root causes. The brain and human behavior were a mystery well into the 20th century. But we do understand now that there are biochemical and neurological components. That genetics plays a large role. And that the people fighting these diseases deserve the same support we would give someone we know struggling with heart disease or diabetes.

This is one of the reasons I am so proud to have Patrick Kennedy as my representative: he fought long and hard for the legislation which will require insurance companies to treat mental illnesses at the same level as those other disease processes.

Cheers.
-j