Mental Health Public Safety

In the weeks since the mass murders in Newtown, Conn., many voices have articulated theories as to the “how” and “why” of this particular mass murder, and the preventative steps that can be taken to avoid future atrocities. In addition to the calls for a renewed federal ban on so-called assault weapons and tighter restrictions on firearms purchases, there have been productive discussions concerning mental health. I believe that addressing the issue of mental health care – and ensuring access to services by families of the mentally ill – is the overarching component in preventing mass killings in schools, the workplace and the family home. I recently came across a report about Laura’s Law, named for Laura Wilcox, a 19-year-old college student who was murdered in 2000 by a man who suffered from late-onset schizophrenia. She was shot four times at point-blank range while she worked as a volunteer at a mental hospital during Christmas break. Passed by the State of California in 2002, Laura’s Law was designed to provide housing and treatment for dangerous mentally ill persons reluctant to seek help. Under Laura’s Law, a judge can order outpatient treatment for up to six months for a seriously mentally ill individual proven likely to pose a danger either to himself or others. The process can be initiated by family members, social workers or the police. The irony is that despite having been passed into law more than a decade ago, Laura’s Law has been effectively nullified, through lack of funding, in nearly all but two counties in the state. Nevada County, where Laura Wilcox had lived, is the only county in the state where Laura’s Law has been used as an instrument of the court in 54 cases. Los Angeles County has recently begun a smaller pilot program based on Laura’s Law. Critics of involuntary treatment say the process takes way the rights and dignity of the individual. This argument has been at the core of opposition to Laura’s Law and similar measures throughout the US. The public is hesitant to empower the State with the ability to force citizens into care too swiftly. The image of the State Hospital runamuck with corruption and unchecked powers is an indelible one. No one wants a return to the dark days of mental health care and all of the ghastly images that era conjures. Despite this understandable reluctance, I believe we must acknowledge that the current voluntary care system does not meet the public safety needs of modern society – a point proven all too well by the cases of Jared Loughner, James Holmes, Adam Lanza and too many others to name. To effectively take control of public safety, the State must have the ability to step in and administer care when necessary for the severely ill who have long refused treatment and are likely pose a threat to themselves or others. To learn more about Laura's Law, you can visit the website www.mentalillnesspolicy.org.org. To encourage Los Angeles County to continue and expand the Laura's Law pilot program, please contact Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina's office at molina.lacounty.gov. DW