Pubdate: Sat, 13 May 2006
Source: Guelph Tribune (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 Fairway Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.guelphtribune.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3422

PREMIER PROUD HEALTH MINISTER ADMITS DRUG USE

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said yesterday he's proud of Health 
Minister George Smitherman, who has admitted that he conquered an 
addiction to illegal drugs 10 years ago before entering politics.

"I've always been proud of George Smitherman, whether in his capacity 
as a public representative or his capacity as a minister of health, 
and I'm even more proud of him today," the premier said.

"He had a heck of a challenge before him and he overcame that challenge."

Smitherman, 42, has admitted he took stimulants used as "party drugs" 
in the early to mid-1990s.

He said coming clean was a way of "being me" and he wanted to 
encourage others to make the same positive decision.

"I hope there are some people out there who can read that story and 
it can help put their situation in a better perspective and give them 
a little bit more power to charge through it," he told the London Free Press.

Smitherman said yesterday he hadn't spoken to McGuinty about his past 
yet but he has heard from other political colleagues, including 
Opposition Leader John Tory, who sent him a supportive note.

He said he expects some people might use the information about his 
addiction to drugs to attack him politically.

"Politics is politics. You can anticipate some people will be playing 
games like that. I am not concerned about it," he said.

McGuinty said Smitherman's decision to speak out should be an 
inspiration to others.

"It took a lot of courage for him to own up to that and be public 
about that," he said.

McGuinty said the announcement doesn't make him rethink whether he 
should have known about Smitherman's past before he became a cabinet 
minister three years ago.

Smitherman said his past drug use was triggered by stress following 
the long decline of his father, who died seven months after suffering 
a massive stroke.

He said he was working at a camera shop while addicted, and his 
ambition to seek public office motivated him to get help.

He's been drug-free for 10 years.

- - Canadian Press
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