US News
Kennedy lawmaker checks into rehab after crash
By DPA
May 6, 2006, 19:00 GMT

Washington - US Representative Patrick Kennedy, son of US Senator Edward Kennedy, said Friday he would check himself into a rehab facility after he crashed his car into a concrete barrier near the US Congress earlier.

Kennedy said he would seek treatment for addiction and depression at a facility in Minnesota. The lawmaker, who represents the state of Rhode Island, crashed his car into a barrier near his office early Thursday. He blamed his reaction to prescription medication for the accident and said he had not consumed alcohol.

Despite his health problems, Kennedy said he was strong, focused and productive in office. But the incident concerned him deeply, the lawmaker stated Friday, pointing out that he was battling a chronic condition.

\'I simply do not remember getting out of bed, being pulled over by the police, or being cited for three driving infractions,\' he said. \'That is not how I want to live my life, and that is not how I want to represent the people of Rhode Island.\'

\'I do know enough to know that I need help,\' Kennedy added.

The Boston Herald reported Friday that a hostess in a nearby bar said the lawmaker had been \'drinking a little bit.\' A police report indicated that Kennedy appeared to be intoxicated but no sobriety test was taken.

Kennedy said in an earlier statement that he used a prescribed sleep medication and another drug. Early Thursday, Kennedy said he became \'disoriented\' and believed he had to go to the Capitol building for a vote.

Kennedy\'s father, the senior senator of the state of Massachusetts, said he was proud of his son and his \'courage to speak publicly.\' Senator Kennedy also stated that he supports his son\'s decision to check himself into rehab.