Yesterday, the Health Committee stamped its approval on AB 1421.

Every member present at the time of the vote, voted for our bill (although a number--including Judiciary Chair Darrell Steinberg--were absent).

AND YOU WERE HEARD.

Cindy Soto testified how an outpatient program--like the one AB 1421 would establish--could have allowed Stephen Abrams to receive the supervised care he needed in an environment far less restrictive than an inpatient setting. She also told how without that treatment and consumed by psychosis, Abrams took the life of her daughter Sierra.

Randall Hagar, CTAC's co-coordinator, spoke of his son, who did not receive the intensive services and structure of a program like AB 1421 in time. As a result, his son has been hospitalized for 11 months. How much has that cost not only him, but also California?

Eric Roberts bravely testified how when he went off his medication, no one from his clinic could help him. In fact, they chased him away because he was acting so bizarrely. The result? He ended up buying a rifle and holding a 100 people hostage in a bank for 6 hours. He was in prison for 3 1/2 years, sick with no help. Only after being released did he get treatment. If an AB 1421 program was available to him--it would not have happened.

You were there through the wonderful people who stayed to the end of this long hearing to tell their stories during public comment. CTAC members--both family members and consumers--came from Sacramento, Nevada County, Contra Costa and many other Northern Californian communities. They made sure your voice was heard.

Together we will win treatment, safety, and health for people severely disabled with mental illness.

On to Judiciary.

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California Treatment Advocacy Coalition
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