Senator Joe Zarelli (R-Ridgefield), circa 1996:

Zarelli, who says he never touches alcohol or drugs now - didn't deny doing drugs in the past, but he wouldn't discuss the matter beyond remarking that he'd made a few bad decisions at a time when "cocaine was commonplace in school."

Senator Joe Zarelli, circa 2012:

Zarelli said the disability payments he gets are far different than the benefits provided in the state programs he's targeting for cuts, in part because he suffered his injury on the job. He said the people in the state system were making poor lifestyle choices - such as drug and alcohol addiction...

I know the Republican base considers it a bad word—a sign of weakness—but personally, I prefer electing officials who are capable of displaying a little empathy.