Some say The Journal series, "A Mother's Addiction," is an example others can use to fight drug dependency; others say that Tania Cabral has had her "chances to straighten out."

01:11 PM EDT on Tuesday, May 9, 2006

BY EDWARD FITZPATRICK
Journal Staff Writer

"A Mother's Addiction," the seven-part series about Tania Cabral's attempt to regain custody of her child through Family Treatment Drug Court, has elicited reaction ranging from deep compassion to harsh criticism.

In response to the series, which concluded in The Providence Sunday Journal, nearly 100 people have posted comments on projo.com, 50 have sent e-mails to the reporter, and a handful have mailed letters to the editor.

About 100 female inmates at the Bristol County House of Correction in Dartmouth have been asked to read the series each day and write down their thoughts about how it relates to their lives, said Bernard Sullivan, director of public programs and the public information officer for the Bristol County Sheriff's Office.

Sullivan, a former priest and former Journal editor, said he thinks Tania can be a source of inspiration for people fighting addiction, and he wrote to her yesterday, asking her to come speak to the inmates.

Many inmates addicted to drugs "feel as if they've reached a bottom from which they cannot get back," Sullivan said. "Reading this series day to day, you see someone succeed, and it makes them understand they, too, can do what Tania did. It gives them some hope."

Many of the harshest responses came from anonymous writers online. Others offered support and advice for Tania. Some shared personal stories of addiction, an issue that made headlines last week when U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy crashed his car into a security barrier near the Capitol in Washington, D.C., and sought treatment for addiction at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

Kennedy's press secretary sent an e-mail on Tuesday, two days before the crash, saying, "Congressman Kennedy wanted me to pass along his appreciation for your series, 'A Mother's Addiction.' As I'm sure you know, he has made mental health care issues a legislative priority." Attached was a news release about an upcoming conference at Brown University on the future of mental health care and addiction treatment.

Both Cabral and Kennedy have spoken publicly about their bipolar disorder.

A Pawtucket businessman sent an e-mail, saying his car was broken into by Jason Tench, the father of Tania's child. Jason, who pleaded no contest to the larceny charge, was accused of taking the businessman's car stereo and blank checks in August 2004. Police say one of those checks was forged, and Tania cashed it for $150.

The businessman, who asked that his name not be used, said it's a shame people can make a few bad decisions and quickly ruin their lives. "None of us would want a life such as Tania's, but as we read and point fingers, we forget that drugs don't exercise favoritism," he wrote.

"On the other hand, a part of me is not the least compassionate," the businessman wrote, noting Tania has been given chances to straighten out her life. "Change yourself today, Tania, so that your daughter can become the person you wish you could be."

Julie Brosco sent an e-mail, saying she lived under a Route 195 bridge with Tania when they were doing drugs about eight years ago. Brosco, 29, of East Providence, said she was in prison in November 2000 when she found out she was pregnant. "From that point on I made the decision to stay clean. I figured it's one thing to mess up my own life, but I can't drag a child through that," she wrote. "Tania is a great person, and I would love for our little girls to play together sometime."

Paul Malboeuf contacted The Journal, saying he is a faith healer and he would like to pray with Tania. "People come to me with bad backs, tumors, Crohn's disease, hernias, and God heals them," he said. Malboeuf, 59, of Woonsocket, said a lot of people are possessed by demons that tell them to use drugs, and he would ask God to cast out the evil spirits in Tania. "After getting slain in the spirit three or four times, she'd be brand new," he said. "I know that God can heal her."

Projo.com began inviting people to react to the series on Friday afternoon. One anonymous online writer suggested sterilizing "women like Tania," saying that the drug court participants are "trash," that the judges, lawyers and counselors are "idiots" and that "it is sad where my tax dollars are going."

Another anonymous online writer, who described herself as a mother of four and grandmother of eight, said, "Anyone can have a drug problem. Look at the Kennedys, and they are far from trash. The concept of people being sterilized is more disturbing to me than the problem of drug abuse. . . . Too bad our tax money couldn't be spent on a little compassion."

A third unidentified online writer expressed a mix of emotions, saying: "Thank you for this story. At each turn I swayed between compassion and contempt for Tania's behavior due to her addiction."

Tania joined the online discussion on Sunday, writing:

Hi! I'm Tania. I would like to address a few comments. First, I have to say that I NEVER blamed my use on ANYONE or ANY CIRCUMSTANCE! I always made sure that it was clear that I had choices & that I have my own mind.

I'm sorry if I offended anyone!" Tania wrote. "If you were offended, the story wasn't meant for you. The story was meant to open people's eyes to this disease, give other addicts hope & to let the families of addicts know that they are not alone. I have confidence in myself, & I know I face a lifelong struggle. I am prepared to fight it for my daughter & myself so I can be the best parent I can be. Also, I would like to thank everyone else for their prayers & support!

JOIN an online chat with Family Court Chief Judge Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Jr., hosted by Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick, author of the series, "A Mother's Addiction," tomorrow, from noon to 1 p.m. Add your reaction to and see the full series, at:

http://projo.com/tania

efitzpat@projo.com / (401) 277-7368