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Waltham News Tribune

January 6, 2006

Reprinted with permission of the author. All rights reserved.

Daniel Westbrook had not been taking his prescribed schizophrenia medication for six months when he slashed the throats of Claudia and Jin Chung last week. ("Off his medication, man stabs two neighbors," Jan. 3, Daily News Tribune).

The case is an eerie echo of another early January tragedy in Middlesex County. Richard Hartogensis’ schizophrenia was unmedicated for months before he stabbed his wife and broke her neck.

What it will take to get Massachusetts to update its outdated mental illness treatment laws?

Apparently the answer isn’t "(a) tragedy."

Despite a multitude of murders and suicides, incidences of violence and homelessness, repeated incarcerations and arrests, there has been little groundswell to help people like Westbrook and Hartogensis get treatment before something horrible happens.

Massachusetts needs a more humane treatment law. For instance, of those enrolled in New York’s assisted outpatient treatment program, 74 percent fewer experienced homelessness, 77 percent fewer experienced psychiatric hospitalization, and 87 percent fewer experienced incarceration. Participants were more likely to take medication, less likely to be violent or commit suicide. And their quality of life improved.

Massachusetts is one of only eight states that does not have a similar law. Rep. Kay Kahn is a hero in championing such legislation. Middlesex County should make a New Year’s Resolution to support her effort to lead the way in bringing assisted outpatient treatment to Massachusetts.

MARY ZDANOWICZ,

Executive Director, Treatment Advocacy Center
Arlington, Va.