-- U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., said he will not seek re-election this year, leaving Congress after 16 years in office.
Kennedy is the son of Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., who died last year. Patrick Kennedy's retirement will mark the first time in more than 50 years that a member of that family hasn't been in Congress.
Patrick Kennedy, 42, said only his life is "taking a new direction" as way of initial explanation for his decision.
Issues Kennedy focused on in the House of Representatives include insurance coverage for mental health problems and healthcare reform, which was a central issue for his father.
The younger Kennedy had his share of controversy, notably for substance abuse, including drug- and alcohol-related problems. The most known incident was in May 2006 when he crashed his car into a Capitol Hill barricade. The following day he said he was addicted to prescription medication and would go to a rehabilitation facility. He also went for rehabilitation last June.
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