Bush's niece enters drug clinic

Jeb Bush (r): Asked for 'understanding' for his daughter

Noelle Bush, daughter of Florida Governor Jeb Bush and niece of President George W Bush, has been admitted into a drug rehabilitation programme, her lawyer says.

Ms Bush, 24, was arrested last week at a drive-through pharmacy while allegedly trying to buy the anti-anxiety drug Xanax in Tallahassee, Florida's state capital.

She was released several hours later, after being charged with prescription fraud.

Her lawyer, Peter Antonacci, said that she would spend whatever time is needed in the programme before returning to Tallahassee to face the charge, but he would not say where she was to be treated, the Associated Press news agency reported.

Parents' plea

Drug prescription fraud in the United States carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Noelle Bush was arrested after the pharmacist called police

However Ms Bush will reportedly face a drugs court, where first-time offenders are often sent.

They must attend meetings and pass drug tests, and if successfully passed criminal charges are dismissed and the defendant is left with no criminal record.

Jeb Bush and his wife Columba had earlier in the week issued a plea for understanding after his daughter's arrest: "Columba and I are deeply saddened... This is a very serious problem," the statement said.

"Unfortunately, substance abuse is an issue confronting many families across our nation."

In 1994 Mr Bush admitted that one of his three children had a drug problem but refused to say which one.