My daughter is an avid Backstreet Boys fan. She was, of course, disappointed that the concert scheduled for tomorrow in Ottawa had been postponed because member A.J. McLean would be entering rehab for substance abuse and depression.

Mr. McLean's actions to rehabilitate himself, and the acknowledgement of this by the rest of the musical group, are commendable.

The Backstreet Boys are mentors for thousands of young and impressionable teens. They watch and learn their songs, their moves, their fashions. They have their favourite member, and they know everything about him. And now they know that one of the band members has acknowledged some problems and is taking positive steps to address them.

I am so happy that a band that is so popular, which could easily have had publicists and agents modify or hide this story, came immediately forward with the truth, as hard as it must have been.

I am sure that teens will be following this story closely and, I hope, will learn that problems such as this can be addressed and dealt with, without fear of shame or judgment. If there is an upside to Mr. McLean's situation, it is this.

As a parent, I am proud of the Backstreet Boys. My daughter has always maintained that "they're the best." I have to agree. "Good Luck" to Mr. McLean. As member Brian Littrell so eloquently put it, "It's all about him being healthy."

Bob P. Antonietti,

Kanata