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The Montgomery Gazette (Maryland)

November 7, 2002

Reprinted with permission of the author. All rights reserved.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Treatment for mentally ill can prevent tragedy

It remains to be seen what sentence the courts will hand down to James Logan ("Deputies' accused shooter plans to plead not guilty," Oct. 24). He will likely join the thousands of others with severe mental illnesses who are today housed in Maryland's prison system -- more than twice the number housed in the state's remaining psychiatric hospitals.

But no matter what his sentence, it is clear that Maryland state legislature must shoulder some responsibility for the death sentences handed down to Sheriffs' Deputies James V. Arnaud and Elizabeth Magruder, who were allegedly killed by Logan when trying to serve him with an emergency psychiatric petition.

Legislators -- many up for re-election this week -- failed to pass a measure earlier this year that would have amended state law to help people with severe mental illnesses who are too sick to understand that they need help. The legislation would have allowed Logan's family to get him medical intervention before he became dangerous, before law enforcement had to be called, before tragedy struck.

With two deputies dead, a sick man in custody instead of in treatment, three families grieving and costs continuing to escalate, Maryland legislators should rally together to pass legislation that was supported by many, including the Maryland Sheriff's Association and Maryland affiliate of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and will be reintroduced next session.

Mary T. Zdanowicz, Arlington, Va.

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