On
January 29, 2002, according to a police report made public via
The Smoking Gun website, Bush attempted to “fraudulently obtain a prescription” at a
Walgreens Drug Store located in
Tallahassee, Florida. The attending officer, Mark E. Dent of the
Tallahassee Police Department, ascertained that Bush had telephoned the pharmacy using the name “Noelle Scidmore” in an attempt to obtain
Xanax, a prescription drug used to treat
anxiety disorders.
As a result of her arrest, Bush was ordered by a judge to attend a rehabilitation program at the Center for Drug-Free Living in
Orlando, Florida. During her time at the facility, Bush was found in contempt of court after being found in possession of 2 grams of
cocaine, and was sentenced to ten days in jail.
In August 2003, Jeb Bush and his wife Columba attended their daughter's final court appearance. Upon completion of her rehabilitation program, the governor's press office released a statement on his behalf. “Columba and I are pleased that our daughter Noelle has completed this step, and grateful for the treatment she's received…. She has worked hard to get here. We are proud of her efforts and love her very much.” Regarding her treatment, Noelle Bush herself told the court “It's been quite a challenge, and I'm grateful.”