General Resources / Legal Resources / Medical Resources / Briefing Papers / State Activity    
Hospital Closures / Preventable Tragedies / Press Room / Search Our Site / Home

The Tampa Tribune

February 24, 2003

Reprinted with permission of the author. All rights reserved.

LETTER
Effective Treatment

Regarding ``Proposed Baker Act Reforms Carry A Distinct Downside''  (Our Opinion, Feb. 17):

There is a serious downside to not adopting the Baker Act reforms proposed by the Florida Sheriff's Association: continued arrests, homelessness, victimization, violence and suicide by people who, because of their mental illness, do not recognize their own need for treatment.

The reform does not ``expand the reach of the Baker Act.'' Rather, the proposal specifically applies only to a small but significant number of individuals with severe mental illnesses who repeatedly cycle in and out of the treatment system. In 2000 an estimated 7,500 individuals were ``Baker Acted'' two or more times, accounting for about one-third of all adult cases. This is the same group that accounts for an ever-increasing workload for mental health professionals, law enforcement and both criminal and civil court judges now.

The proposal is designed to ensure more effective treatment for this population. A pilot project will only serve to delay needed medical treatment. New York State did a pilot study on a similar proposal and then adopted Kendra's Law. Additionally, research conducted at Duke University showed that court-ordered outpatient treatment reduced the risk of arrest by 74 percent, hospital admissions by 57 percent, victimization by 50 percent and violence by 36 percent.

It is time for Florida to take action and update the Baker Act. Forty-one other states have already done so with their treatment laws.

DONALD F. ESLINGER, Sanford

The writer is sheriff of Seminole County.

READ MORE
Florida activities