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The Betty Ford Center

04/10/2013 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, The Betty Ford Center

How a First Lady's struggle with drugs led to the founding of a world famous rehab clinic

How American First Lady Betty Ford's own struggle with drugs and alcohol led to the founding of a world famous rehabilitation clinic.

Following her own struggles with drink and prescription drugs, former American First Lady Betty Ford opened a drug and alcohol treatment centre on 4 October 1982. The Betty Ford Center is now one of the most famous rehabilitation centres in the world. Lucy Burns spoke to Joseph Cruse, one of the doctors who helped her recover.

Photo: Betty Ford, courtesy of Gerald R Ford Memorial Library (public domain).

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