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American Morning

Police Summoned to Noelle Bush's Treatment Center

Aired September 10, 2002 - 09:25   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: There may be more problems this morning for Noelle Bush. She is the daughter of Florida governor, Jeb Bush, the niece of the president.
Mark Potter now in Miami tracking this story. And again, as we mentioned earlier, still developing -- Mark, what do you have? Good morning.

MARK POTTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill. You are right, it is developing, but what we know right now comes from the Orlando Police Department. We're told that officers were sent to a drug treatment facility in Orlando last night around 8:30. They were told that there was a drug related complaint involving Noelle Bush, who was a client at the drug treatment facility.

She was allegedly found in possession of a small -- substance, a white substance, and it was tested positive for the presence of cocaine.

We do not know yet what has become of Ms. Bush, and there has not yet been a statement from the governor's office, although we are told that one is anticipated.

This has been a very difficult matter for the Bush family. If has -- has been a situation that has been developing for quite some time. If you recall in January, Ms. Bush was arrested in Tallahassee for trying to use a false prescription to get the drug Xanax, a anti- depressant. She was put into a drug treatment program, transferred to Orlando, where this summer she had another problem. She was found in possession of prescription drugs and drugs that had been taken from a medicine cabinet, and she was put into jail for three days.

She is back in the treatment facility, and now it appears she may have another problem. We await a statement from the governor's office -- Bill.

HEMMER: Clarify one thing, this was at the treatment center, is this where this all went down, Mark, is that right?

POTTER: That is absolutely right. And again, this has been very painful for the Bush family. The governor, when speaking about this publicly, a while ago broke down. It has been very tough. It has not been part of the campaign for the governor's race. The Democrats have not talked about this at all. This is a personal matter.

HEMMER: Mark, thanks. Mark Potter. Should be noted there is a primary underway today, in fact, that will nominate or pick or select on the Democratic side who faces off with Jeb Bush. That is happening out there as well. Mark, thanks.

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