Senator Faith Winter from Colorado made a public apology in the state Senate on Friday, addressing her past struggles with alcohol abuse. Last July, Winter was found to have violated a Senate ethics rule when she showed up drunk at a public meeting. Despite the violation, the ethics committee decided not to censure or expel her, but instead sent a letter admonishing her behavior.
Winter has since sought treatment for alcohol use and checked into rehab. She acknowledged her mistakes and expressed remorse for the harm caused to herself, her friends and family, the Democratic caucus, the Senate, and her community. Winter attributed her struggles with alcohol to past trauma and mental health issues.
She emphasized her love for legislating and helping constituents, expressing regret for the interruption caused by her behavior. Winter thanked the ethics committee for their understanding and stated she is making strides in her recovery process with treatment and support.
In her speech, Winter called for a collective effort to address the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction, urging for more support and understanding. She received applause from fellow Senators as she concluded.
Moving forward, Winter is committed to staying in treatment and helping others access recovery resources. She emphasized the importance of working together to address shame and create a more supportive environment for those struggling with similar issues.
Source
Photo credit denvergazette.com