Media
21 September, 1999
The National Post
Agency Opposes Government Plan to Force Psychiatric Care
An Ontario agency has come out against government plans to force more psychiatric patients into treatment.
Existing legislation is tough enough to deal with the tiny portion of patients who pose a danger to themselves or others. The Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office says.
The advocacy office is funded and set up by the health ministry to represent the interests and rights of psychiatric patients, but it describes itself as quasi-independent.
The province should make better use of the current system, rather than "implementing coercive measures that restrict individual freedoms," the office says in a position paper posted on its Web site.
"Under Canadian law, the state cannot simply force treatment on people," the arms length agency said.
"The right to have one's capable wishes respecting treatment honoured is protected by the Charter of Rights."
Lawmakers must be careful not to "create a society where people are pulled off the street because they look odd or act oddly... without some kind of appeal option," added Barbara Cadotte, a spokeswoman for the office.
Mike Harris, the Premier, promised in the spring election campaign to make it easier to force mentally ill people to get treatment if they appear to be dangerous. The existing law makes that process too cumbersome, he argued.
The Schizophrenia Society of Ontario has endorsed the government's approach. But other groups, such as the Canadian Mental Health Association, fear such changes could lead to the authorities arbitrarily sweeping mentally ill people off the street.
Barry Wilson, a spokesman for Elizabeth Witmer, the health minister, defended the proposed policy yesterday, noting that coroner's juries, patient groups and experts have repeatedly recommended amending the law.
It is first and foremost a measure to help the patient, he said.
"Our government sees this issue as one of providing care to people who suffer from a serious mental illness or alcoholism or drug addiction."
Supporters of change argue that authorities now must meet overly strict requirements before they can force a patient they consider dangerous into treatment.
The act says it can happen only if there's evidence the patient will cause "imminent and serious" physical harm.
The province has not outlined exactly how it plans to alter the law.
