A damaging blow to the mentally ill
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
I disagree with one assertion in an otherwise excellent article "Va. to close pharmacy for mentally ill" [Metro, Oct. 30]. While the article said that "mentally ill patients who can't get their medications -- or don't take them -- can become dangerous, winding up in jails or hospitals," the fact is that such people might get sick but only rarely do they pose a threat to society. People with mental illnesses mostly wind up in jails or hospitals because they are ill or suicidal, or because community care is lacking. Rarely do they become truly dangerous.
Closing the state pharmacy has destroyed an outstanding safety net that safeguarded the health of many vulnerable people in Virginia. It took years to perfect and will not be easily restored when better budget times return.
Raymond Bridge, Falls Church
The writer was president of Virginia's Mental Health Planning Council from 2003 to 2005.
