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

Daytona Beach News-Journal

February 23, 2003

Reprinted with permission of the author. All rights reserved.

LETTER
Baker Act needs to be reformed

Re "Jail diversion: Treatment better alternative for mentally ill," Feb. 7 editorial:

We at the Treatment Advocacy Center agree it makes sense to give people with a mental illness "the help they need to remain productive members of society before they reach the depths of despair that lead to serious mental illness ... and arrest."

For this reason the Florida mental health treatment law, the Baker Act, needs to be reformed. Even with the best services, jail diversion programs and police training initiatives, there will still be a small but significant group of people who continue to cycle in and out of treatment until the law is updated to allow treatment for those who are too ill to recognize their own need. Nearly half of people with untreated severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, do not believe they are sick. Many refuse necessary treatment, even when available.

The law needs to allow earlier intervention and court-ordered outpatient treatment. The current Florida law requires that a person be a "danger" before a court can order medical treatment, and only on an inpatient basis. Studies show that court-ordered outpatient treatment can reduce arrest rates, hospitalization and violence.

ROSANNA M. ESPOSITO, J.D.

Arlington, Va.