Wednesday, June 12, 2002
Why is another mental health court necessary?
EDITOR:
After reading two of Bob Jackson's articles and a recent letter to the editor within one week's time, I was wondering if I missed Mahoning County Mental Health Week? Or could it be there is an underlying power struggle going on in political circles and that persons in our community lack the proper facts on the subject to make informed statements?
In Mr. Jackson's May 26 story, we have Ron Marian, director of the Mahoning County Mental Health Board, attempting to secure funds for the establishment of a mental health court, with reference to municipal Judge Robert Douglas' having started to address such issues. On May 31, Mr. Jackson's story states that Probate Judge Timothy Maloney is working with Trumbull Probate Judge Swift on a seminar dealing with "mentally ill people who break the law."
I may be one of those "clueless" residents that Mr. de Souza refers to, so please correct me if I am wrong. But isn't it Mahoning County Probate Court that handles involuntary commitments to mental health facilities, and is it not the Mahoning County Mental Health Board that is supposed to represent all residents involved in mental health issues? So where's the teamwork, guys? Appearances seem to show a division on the issue.
Personally, I don't believe that it should be solely in the hands of any of those mentioned for varying reasons. One unifying reason though, is that Judge Maloney, Judge Douglas and Mr. Marian have all, at times, ignored the issues of those in need.
Perhaps, a separate county judge and a professional independent council should be established, and perhaps said council should meet with Judge Jack Durkin on how to implement a court program directed to a special needs group that will prove to be a cooperative success. His drug court has proven to genuinely address the issues before it, while protecting both legal and human interests.
Lastly, in response to the letter. Mental illness is just that, an illness. As with any illness, each case is unique. Some need time and treatment to achieve renewed health; others are incurable. Credit should be given to Judge Lisotto for being cognizant of these issues and for considering the professional opinions of others, while still being cautious enough to set limitations. It was an example to me of working to restore individual liberty while still protecting the liberties of the public. I'd call this attaining balance.
MAGGY LORENZI
Youngstown
Nation must not lose focus on events of 9/11
EDITOR:
I pray that the second part of a statement attributed to Abraham Lincoln -- "We will never be conquered by an outside force; we will destroy ourselves from within" -- will never come to pass even though it appears that we may be leaning in that direction.
December 7, 1941, and September 11, 2001, had one very obvious thing in common. Citizens and political parties rallied with unified support for our leaders. One major difference? This time the total support appears to have had a shorter life.
Why? Was it because WTC and ground zero lost headline luster, or did the fact that elections are forthcoming and political hyperbole caused finger pointing before all facts were in place?
Was this an attempt to weaken the national and international image of our leaders? Sadly, this occurred at a time when total support is vital to the eradication of an evil, dastardly monster seeking to destroy the free world and subjugate it to primitive standards.
True, human beings are always subject to error. This is especially true in huge turf-protecting bureaucracies that were made possible by the largest employer in our country. But, this is not a time to cause a house to be divided against itself.
E.J. HASSAY
Youngstown