Treat mentally ill: Pat Webdale argues that Florida should quickly implement the Baker Act, April 20, 2003

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Miami Herald

April 20, 2003

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Treat mentally ill

by Pat Webdale

Florida legislators can learn a lesson from what happened in New York. Don't delay action. Too much hope -- and tragedy -- lie in the balance.

Re the April 11 editorial Reform the Baker Act: The Herald is right to push for immediate passage of SB 2748 and HB 1197 enhancing the Baker Act. Four years ago, my beautiful daughter was killed by a man with an untreated mental illness.

Her death happened while New York was instituting a pilot program for court-ordered outpatient treatment. Our legislators were hesitant to start that program statewide.

After my daughter died, the law was passed and named in her honor -- Kendra's Law.

The results to date in New York have been impressive. For people given six months of court-ordered outpatient treatment, 77 percent fewer were hospitalized, 85 percent fewer experienced homelessness, 83 percent fewer were arrested and 85 percent fewer were incarcerated.

Florida legislators can learn a lesson from what happened in New York.

Don't delay action. Too much hope -- and tragedy -- lie in the balance.

PAT WEBDALE

Fredonia, N.Y.

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