Pubdate: Mon, 02 Dec 2002
Source: Florida Today (FL)
Copyright: 2002 Florida Today
Contact: http://www.floridatoday.com/forms/services/letters.htm
Website: http://www.flatoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/532
Author: C.A. Terhune

GOVERNOR SHOWED "TOUGH LOVE"

Regarding the story about Gov. Jeb Bush not standing with his daughter
Noelle in court: Faith-based addiction counseling and treatment
organizations practice "tough love" along with detachment.

This approach fosters individual responsibility rather than furnishing
an enabling safety net. The presence of Bush with Noelle would have
diluted her individual responsibility and created a circus atmosphere.
That, too, would be criticized.

Unless one has been subjected to the heartbreaking and humbling
experience of a child in addiction, one cannot understand the
devastating pain encountered by the family, the action taken to help,
nor the rejection of that help by the child.

For those of us who have suffered this experience, no explanation is
necessary. Sometimes love hurts.

C.A. TERHUNE
Titusville
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