Big Dogs Weblog

Patrick Kennedy, son of Teddy the Boozer, announced today that he is headed back to the Mayo clinic for treatment of his addiction to pain medication. Kennedy was involved in a car accident in which he was given special treatment by the police. Despite the fact that he looked and acted drunk, the police gave him a ride home and called it a night. Kennedy gave a statement in which he recounted the event of the evening with remarkable clarity. In his statement about checking in to the Mayo Clinic, Kennedy says he does not remember many events of the evening and blames the accident on a combination of the drugs Phenergan and Ambien. A worker at a bar Kennedy frequents says he was there and drinking “a little” even though Kennedy said he had consumed no alcohol.

This brings back memories of his dad after he was drunk driving and killed a girl in a car wreck. The only thing missing is Patrick showing up with a neck brace on. Drug addiction is no laughing matter and I hope that he gets the treatment he needs. However, it is not beyond belief that this is all an attempt to cover up a drunk driving incident. The world will watch as poor Patrick, who evidently suffers from the Kennedy curse, gets his treatment. Someone should also investigate the prescription and see if it was backdated and when it was actually filled.

Where are the left wing bloggers deriding this man as a pill popper? Remember when Rush Limbaugh admitted he had an addiction to pain pills. The left called him Rush Pillbaugh and indicated he was a hypocrite who should go to jail. Patrick Kennedy was involved in an accident where he almost hit a police car and did hit a barrier. He could have easily hit a car with a family in it and killed them all. Instead of being processed as any other individual would, he was taken home and put to bed. The whole incident had the makings of a cover up except the police union (a union doing something good) stepped in and brought this to light.

It is obvious from Kennedy’s own statements that he lied about what happened. He indicated he had no recollection but in an earlier statement recounted detailed events. He had behavior that indicated he had been drinking and he denies that though a worker at a bar says otherwise. If the incident his father was involved in is any indication Patrick will be elevated to Sainthood by the moonbats and spend the rest of his life in Congress.

Despite the problems that Patrick Kennedy has, and I am not making light of his problem, think about the incident and how an average citizen would have been treated. Any other person would have been given a field sobriety test and probably arrested. There would be biological testing, time in jail, bail, a court appearance, AA, probation (maybe jail time) and fines and other costs amounting to thousands of dollars. You can bet that the average guy would not have been given a ride home and that the court would probably not entertain some motion about prescribed drugs. There would have been tests to rule out alcohol use and then, maybe (if they were negative), the court would agree with the drug issue. Since the police did not do any biological testing for alcohol there is no evidence that Kennedy was drinking even though he was seen drinking at a bar. It is a moot point because that does not establish drunk driving.

Here is some information about promethazine (Phenergan) and zolpidem (Ambien):

What should I avoid while taking promethazine?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Promethazine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking promethazine.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Promethazine may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
What should I avoid while taking zolpidem?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Zolpidem will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. Zolpidem should be taken just before bedtime. You may experience some carryover effects the next day.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking zolpidem. Alcohol will increase drowsiness and may increase dizziness while you are taking zolpidem, which could be dangerous.
• Avoid other sedatives, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers, including over-the-counter preparations. They should not be used while you are taking zolpidem unless your doctor directs otherwise.
• Zolpidem may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, [author note: Phenergan is an antihistamine] other sedatives (used to treat insomnia)[author note: like Ambien], pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine unless your doctor approves. (Source 1, Source 2)

Additionally:

ALCOHOL may interact with PROMETHAZINE (in Promethazine Oral)

Although the cause of this potential interaction is not clearly understood, intolerable or otherwise undesirable side effects may occur when promethazine is taken together with alcoholic beverages or alcohol-containing products (such as some cough syrups and elixirs). Side effects may include drowsiness, difficulty making decisions, and loss of balance. Alcoholic beverages or alcohol-containing products may also increase the likelihood of experiencing serious side effects with promethazine, including uncontrollable muscle spasms and twitches. Avoid the use of alcohol when taking promethazine. Discuss this potential interaction with your healthcare provider at your next appointment, or sooner if you think you are having problems.

This interaction is well-documented and is considered moderate in severity. (Source)

If Kennedy was taking these medications he should have been made aware of the problems associated with alcohol use. If he was truly having a problem with his stomach (his stated reason for the Phenergan) then why was he drinking? Alcohol certainly is not good for a person with gastroenteritis.

Sources
Breitbart
Breitbart
Reuters
Breitbart
Boston Herald
The Smoking Gun

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Tags: Political