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STAFF, GUESTS, AND THEIR ANIMALS STAY SAF FORMER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR ANDREW GILLUM RESPONDING TO REPORTS LINKING HIM TO A DRUG INVESTIGATION IN MIAMI BEACH. POLICE WERE CALLED TO A HOTEL THIS MORNING REGARDING A SUSPECTED DRUG OVERDOSE. HE AND TWO OTHER MEN WERE INSIDE THE HOTEL ROOM. OFFICERS WHO RESPONDED TO THE HOTEL TRIED TO SPE WITH ANDREW GILLUM BUT HE WAS TOO INEBRIATED TO HELP THEM AT THE TIME. OFFICERS FOUND THREE SMA BAGS INSIDE THE HOTEL ROOM CONTAINING SUSPECTED CRYSTAL METH. ANDREW GILLUM RELEASING A STATEMENT A SHORT TIME AGO WHICH READS IN PART, I WAS IN MIAMI FOR A WEDDING CELEBRATION WHEN FIRST RESPONDERS WERE CALLED TO ASSIST ONE OF MY FRIENDS. I HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK, I WANT TO BE CLEAR, I HAVE NEVER USED METHAMPHETAMINE.

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Former Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum announced Sunday that he will be going to a rehabilitation facility.According a statement released Sunday, Gillum says he fell into a depression that led to alcohol abuse after his race for governor ended. On Friday, Gillum was involved in a crystal meth incident in Miami Beach, Miami Beach police said.According to police, Gillum was at the Mondrian Hotel with two other men. One man said he found Gillum in the bathroom, vomiting, while the other man was passed out on a bed, vomiting and eventually went into cardiac arrest.Miami Beach police later said they found three plastic bags that contained suspected crystal meth. Police said they were unable to speak with Gillum that night due to his "inebriated state."On Friday, Gillum released a statement that said he was in Miami for a wedding celebration and he had too much to drink. "I want to be clear that I have never used methamphetamines," Gillum said in the statement.On Sunday, Gillum released a statement that said: "After conversation with my family and deep reflection, I have made the decision to seek help, guidance and enter a rehabilitiation facility at this time. This has been a wake-up call for me. Since my race for governor ended, I fell into a depression that has led to alcohol abuse. I witnessed my father suffer from alcoholism and I know the damaging effects it can have when untreated. I also know that alcoholism is often a symptom of deeper struggles. I am committed to doing the personal work to heal fully and show up in the world as a more complete person. I now need to firmly focus on myself and my family. I will be stepping down from all public facing roles for the foreseeable future. I want to apologize to my family, friends and the people of Florida who have supported me and put their faith in me over the years. I ask that you respect my and my family's privacy during this time. Thank you."