Drugs Not the Only Psychiatric Option

In “How Patients’ Rights Can Harm Treatment” (June 24), the columnist--a psychiatrist--confidently describes a client who has been found facing oncoming traffic.

She concludes, “Mr. X needs to start medication, to stabilize and to be discharged to a setting where his compliance can be monitored.” How brisk. How efficient. And how wrong.

Though some individuals choose to take psychiatric drugs as prescribed, there are many valid reasons why others might prefer other approaches. Unfortunately, many psychiatrists today are primarily trained to only prescribe pills, and have little else to offer.

The L.A. Times should be fighting to make available a wider range of effective voluntary options, rather than leading this chemical crusade that violates core American values of freedom and dignity.

DAVID OAKS

Director, Support Coalition International

Eugene, Ore.