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The San Francisco Chronicle

December 21, 1999

Reprinted with permission.  Copyright 1999 The San Francisco Chronicle.  All rights reserved.

Assemblywoman Helen Thomson is taking her efforts to reform mental health laws in California a step at a time, knowing what a charged issue she is tackling.

Unlike most of her colleagues, Thomson, D-Davis, has chosen to face head-on one of the toughest and longest-neglected policy issues in the state -- that of the abysmal treatment of the mentally ill, who are as likely to be found in jails and on the streets as in a care or treatment program.

Last week Thomson outlined her plan to reform the 32-year-old Lanterman-Petris-Short Act which, though well intended, has had the effect of making it almost impossible to successfully treat people who do not want to be treated, even if it is for their own good.

Thomson's bill, AB1028, would allow authorities to hold individuals for 28 days, rather than the current 14, if it is determined that they may be dangerous to themselves or others. It would streamline the hearing process that is required after holding someone for 72 hours and it would allow those who have been certified for involuntary commitment to opt into a voluntary outpatient treatment program in which they would agree to take their medications.

"Too many mentally ill adults deteriorate on the streets, in public shelters or in the back bedrooms of their parents' homes," Thomson said. "There, some become dangerous as a result of their untreated psychotic symptoms, they often turn on those who love them and cause preventable tragedy. And we can't do anything about it."

Her concerns are shared by U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, who last week issued a thoughtful, exhaustive report on the mentally ill that analyzed hundreds of reports and summarized new and effective treatments. It should provide Thomson with heavy ammunition in her campaign to get fellow lawmakers to wake up to the degree of the problem and to favorably consider her legislation.

Thomson is moving bravely into tricky territory. It is not easy to determine at what point the desirability of committing mentally ill people crosses the line into abrogation of civil rights. But the need for a stiffening of current law is plain.

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