Utahns have seen their share of pain caused by weak mental illness treatment laws. From the case of Leonard Gall to the killings at the Triad Center and the LDS Family History Library, tragedy makes it clear that waiting until someone with a severe mental illness poses an immediate threat before the courts can intervene is not only foolish, but deadly.

That the Utah Legislature is considering reducing that standard from an "immediate" threat to a "substantial" one is a small step in the right direction. ("Bills Focus on Involuntary Commitment," Tribune, Nov. 21.)

It is encouraging that soon Utahns with severe brain diseases like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder will not have to brandish a weapon to get help. The next step is to help people when they demonstrate a real need for treatment and are incapable of making rational decisions, not just when their disease has made them a danger.

After all, when someone with Alzheimer's disease wanders away from home, we don't classify the level of danger they are in before deciding whether to take action. We know they need help, so we help them. People with severe mental illnesses deserve no less.

MARY T. ZDANOWICZ
Executive Director
Treatment Advocacy Center
Arlington, Va.

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