Drug overdose victims could be forced into mental health facilities under Pa. bill
Patriot-NewsApr 20, 2017
At present, such involuntary commitments are tied to apparent mental illness that has led, for example, to a suicide attempt or an attack on others within the past 30 days.
Rep.
Some experts have endorsed this approach, in keeping with the growing consensus in the substance abuse field that addiction is a type of mental illness.
Baker's bill would force affected addicts into a 72-hour minimum stay where they would be fully evaluated and counseled as to their treatment needs.
Supporters say the benefit is it at least provides an entry point to treatment.
But even some who voted for the bill Wednesday raised questions about whether the right supports are in place for a "committed" addict to get the necessary evaluation and care, should they eventually opt-in for further help.
Baker, a Republican from
As House Bill 713 is written, an overdose patient requiring emergency health care treatment could be held in-hospital or at a treatment facility for at least 72 hours for a further assessment of their problem.
"This would be another option for people who are desperate for intervention," Baker said.
A daughter's death opens a mother's eyes to hard realities about heroin
The bill comes as
Some believe the 2016 death toll will only be higher when that count is finalized.
Baker's is not the only anti-addiction bill exploring involuntary treatment.
Senate Minority Leader
Not everyone is completely comfortable with the concept of forced treatment, however.
"One of the things we hear about addiction is that the person who is addicted really needs to want the change," noted Rep.
Others have asked what happens if there isn't appropriate bed-space for a patient who agrees to help. Or, what happens to the committed patient who leaves after the first 72 hours?
"My question is, are we moving too fast?" asked Rep.
But some drug treatment advocates have expressed support for Baker's basic concept.
It often takes a hard push, Beck noted, from a boss, a loved one or a doctor for someone with substance abuse problems to enter treatment.
According to the
In the end, Baker's bill passed its first test with flying colors. All 26 committee members present voted for it, including Gainey and Daley.
"I guess we need to take every opportunity to try and help these families," Daley said.
Baker said the committee vote was important because the endorsement puts the bill on track for further discussion as the legislature and the Wolf administration prioritize its next moves in the statewide battle against addiction.
It's in those coming discussions, Baker said, that he expects the questions raised Wednesday to be fully explored and answered, at which point lawmakers can decide whether this is a tool they want to add to the fight in
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