Mental Health Treatment Bill

* Re “Sometimes ‘Coercion’ Is a Virtue,” editorial, June 30:

I wish to express my deep concern about The Times’ support for the proposed bill AB 1800. It is a dangerous law that would mandate forced psychiatric treatment for any California citizen, under the weakest of legal pretenses. This proposed law is an affront to the fundamental right of an individual to make his or her own choices regarding health care. If AB 1800 is passed, even petty disputes between neighbors could result in one or both of them being forcibly incarcerated for psychiatric “evaluation” and involuntary drugging.

The proposed mandatory psychiatric incarceration would compound the already colossal failures of the American psychiatric establishment. The terrible tragedy at Columbine, as an example, was caused by students being exposed to phony “aggression therapy” and then being placed under the influence of the powerful psychiatric drug Luvox. This is what instigated the mass murder and suicides. And if you look at all the similar instances of inexplicable shootings, you will find this common element--psychiatric care and psychiatric mind-altering drugs.

GLENN G. JACOBS

Carlsbad

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I don’t want a world on drugs. I have helped raise children in my day care center for over 20 years and lived through the ‘60s drug craze and remained drug free. I am a parent and grandparent.

Forced psychiatric drugging, as in AB 1800, must not become law. Our future depends on freedom from unlawful seizure and forced drugging. It could affect you personally or your children. Please stop promoting this degradation in personal rights and freedom.

CAROLE CREST ORRELL

Tujunga