St. Charles Parish councilman says parish president needs drug rehab

A day after Kenner police say a toxicology report indicated that St. Charles Parish President Larry Cochran had three narcotic painkillers in his system during a Sept. 2 arrest, a parish councilman issued a public statement calling on Cochran to get help "for what appears to be a substance abuse issue."

Paul Hogan, councilman at-large Division B, sent out the statement via email Thursday morning (Oct. 19). It states in part: "In light of reports of Parish President Larry Cochran having been found to test positive for having hydrocodone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone in his system following a recent arrest, it is my opinion that he needs to be afforded the opportunity to obtain immediate substance abuse counseling and to submit to any treatment deemed necessary by the counselor."

Hogan, who is frequently at odds with Cochran, isn't calling for Cochran's resignation. However, he said in his statement that if Cochran tests positive for the narcotics again following treatment, "that this would be cause to ask for his resignation for the benefit of our Parish."

Cochran and his attorney have not responded to requests for comment on the toxicology report.

Read more: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/10/st_charles_parish_councilman_s_1.html