Hospital Holds Vital Role for Mentally Ill

Regarding possible closure of Camarillo State Hospital, there are several good reasons why this should not happen. Twenty years ago California had 13 state hospitals; it now has three. Does that mean that miraculously there are now only a few mentally ill people who need a secure, locked facility? Certainly not. It means only that there has been a systematic shutdown to save dollars.

Granted, with the advent of new drugs, many of those in the hospitals could be released to live fuller and better lives, but I believe we are now at the bare-bones level. Three hospitals serving the entire state is less than adequate, particularly because of our increasing population.

Remember, there will always be the severely mentally ill who will require locked facilities; so far there are no cures, only medications to treat the symptoms and those are not always successful.

The false assumption that in time everyone will become independent and able to live on their own is unrealistic. Has anyone noticed the increase in confrontations and heartbreaking events involving the mentally ill and the police? This may be only the beginning! As adequate care erodes, many have joined the ranks of the homeless, finding themselves without care, medications and supervision. Some have become part of the criminal justice system, which is even more costly to the taxpayers.

Another loss associated with closing the hospital would be the termination of its renowned, joint research program with UCLA under the direction of Dr. Robert Liberman. Research is just now finding breakthroughs in knowledge of the workings of the brain; it is critical to continue this effort in order to find answers for treating these diseases which afflict 1% of our population. Research could and will save millions of dollars in the future as new drugs are developed.

IRENE KING

Thousand Oaks

Irene King is past president of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Ventura County.

* With great interest, I read “Group to Pursue Range of Options for State Hospital” (Jan. 6). At first glance, the intention by Camarillo city officials to explore all options for the future of Camarillo State Hospital, other than bringing in mentally ill criminals, seemed valid enough. Why not use the ground for a state university campus, a veterans hospital, a conservation corps headquarters or a mental health treatment center for adolescents or seniors? Why not?

The answer is simple enough: The streets of California cities are saturated with homeless people, many of whom are mentally ill and in need of hospitalization. Our jails and prisons are full of mentally ill prisoners. Camarillo State Hospital is equipped to handle those patients. The hospital has a skilled staff, including social workers, nurses and psychiatric technicians. The hospital is a good distance away from the city of Camarillo, which makes it easy to apprehend any escapees. If the hospital will accept mentally ill patients, presently serving time in prisons, it would put itself on solid financial grounds, since there is money available for mentally ill criminals. And that, of course, would financially profit the city of Camarillo.

What is good for Camarillo State Hospital is good for the city of Camarillo. And what is good for Camarillo State Hospital is to adjust, to expand, to face new realities with courage and wisdom. And the same applies for the Camarillo City Council.

ADOLPH DONINS

Oxnard