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| US cocaine congressman Trey Radel takes leave of absence | US cocaine congressman Trey Radel takes leave of absence |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Florida congressman who received a year's probation after pleading guilty to cocaine possession has announced he is taking a leave of absence. | A Florida congressman who received a year's probation after pleading guilty to cocaine possession has announced he is taking a leave of absence. |
| Representative Trey Radel, 37, who says he has been struggling with alcoholism and substance abuse, pledged to donate his salary to charity. | Representative Trey Radel, 37, who says he has been struggling with alcoholism and substance abuse, pledged to donate his salary to charity. |
| The Republican told his constituents: "I want to be a better man." | The Republican told his constituents: "I want to be a better man." |
| He recently voted for a bill containing a measure that mandated drug tests for poor Americans who apply for food aid. | He recently voted for a bill containing a measure that mandated drug tests for poor Americans who apply for food aid. |
| 'Struggle with abuse' | 'Struggle with abuse' |
| On Wednesday morning, Radel admitted buying 3.5g (0.12oz) of cocaine from an undercover agent on 29 October in Washington DC. | On Wednesday morning, Radel admitted buying 3.5g (0.12oz) of cocaine from an undercover agent on 29 October in Washington DC. |
| After the $250 (£155) changed hands, officers swooped and he dropped the drugs. | After the $250 (£155) changed hands, officers swooped and he dropped the drugs. |
| Later on Wednesday, he announced his leave of absence at a news conference in his office at Cape Coral on Florida's west coast. | Later on Wednesday, he announced his leave of absence at a news conference in his office at Cape Coral on Florida's west coast. |
| He did not say how long he planned to take off, nor which charity would receive his salary. | He did not say how long he planned to take off, nor which charity would receive his salary. |
| "I'm not going to sit here and make any excuses for what I've done," said Radel, who was elected by a wide margin last year with the support of Tea Party activists. | "I'm not going to sit here and make any excuses for what I've done," said Radel, who was elected by a wide margin last year with the support of Tea Party activists. |
| "I have let down our country. I've let down our constituents. I've let down my family, including my wife. | "I have let down our country. I've let down our constituents. I've let down my family, including my wife. |
| "And even though he doesn't know it, I've let down my two-year-old son." | "And even though he doesn't know it, I've let down my two-year-old son." |
| He said he has been struggling with alcoholism and substance abuse "off and on for years". | He said he has been struggling with alcoholism and substance abuse "off and on for years". |
| Radel gave no sign that he was going to quit. Earlier he said in court he wanted to "continue serving this country". | Radel gave no sign that he was going to quit. Earlier he said in court he wanted to "continue serving this country". |
| His lawyer said his client was already undergoing drug treatment. | |
| If Radel finishes his year of probation without further incident the charge against him will be dismissed and his record may be expunged. | If Radel finishes his year of probation without further incident the charge against him will be dismissed and his record may be expunged. |
| Meanwhile, his voting record is coming under renewed scrutiny after political reporters highlighted his vote in September in favour of a bill that contained a provision requiring food-stamp applicants to get drug tested. | |
| During debate on the amendment, Jim McGovern, one of the Democratic legislators who opposed the measure, was quoted as saying: "Why don't we drug test all the members of Congress here. Force everybody to go urinate in a cup or see whether or not anybody is on drugs?" | During debate on the amendment, Jim McGovern, one of the Democratic legislators who opposed the measure, was quoted as saying: "Why don't we drug test all the members of Congress here. Force everybody to go urinate in a cup or see whether or not anybody is on drugs?" |
| Radel will face a preliminary investigation by the House ethics committee, which is required anytime a sitting legislator is charged with a crime, according to the Washington Post. | Radel will face a preliminary investigation by the House ethics committee, which is required anytime a sitting legislator is charged with a crime, according to the Washington Post. |