Kendra's Law - Should we force mentally ill people to take medication?

Question

My town just passed a Kendra's Law, giving the government the right to force someone to take medication for a mental illness. It was named for a woman who was killed by a schizophrenic who was off his meds.

Is this a good step to help save lives, or a bad step toward a police state? What do you think?

Answer 1

GREAT QUESTION! Many of the moms who've killed their children were mentally unstable and off their meds. Frankly, I think families need to be more responsible and seeing that their ill family members take the meds properly.

As someone who's not mentally ill and lived next to a schizophrenic who was VERY unstable, I'd be happy knowing I was safer. But on the other hand, I hate seeing the government stick their hands farther into our private lives.....hmmmmm.....

It's not their fault that they are sick and I know they deserve personal freedom and the right to live among the sane, but with added specialness comes added responsibility. So overall, yes, I do think people who are mentally ill should be made to take their medication, but with their doctor and family being involved and making the final say.

Answer 2

I think this is horrible.

Now people will be afraid to go to a doctor to talk about mental problems, for fear that they will be FORCED to take medications. So now they wont get the help that they really need.

What a stupid law.

UNLESS, you have something serious, like schizophrenia, then maybe those people should be forced to take medications, but there are lots of other Mental illnesses, that do not need MEDS to cure.

Answer 3

I have read a lot on mental illness - have to wonder how many other's have and are just spouting b.s. opinions. The way the U.S. treats its mentally ill is pathetic. I could go on and on but won't because this isn't the forum.

You can't really "force" someone to take their medication. They can try but in the end, if the person doesn't want it, it isn't going to happen. You can't tie a person down four times a day and stuff pills down their throat before the up and leave (they aren't prisoners) or fight back.

Answer 4

How about we put all the schizophrenics in your neighborhood and take them all off of their meds? If someone is a danger to themselves and others than we have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the community. If meds allow this person to be a productive part of the community then make them take the meds for their own good and the good of the community. The only other option would be to lock them up and throw away the key. If you have a better plan to protect the innocent, I would sure like to hear it.

Answer 5

I back Kendra's law 100%. I was attacked and suffer permanent disabilities, my attacker was a schizophrenic family member. I was their power of attorney and managed their bills for them, drove them to Dr. appointments and helped care for them the best I could. But this individual had a history of going off their meds and when they did they were scary. Accusing me of working for FBI and CIA and such. I had to call the police a few times because they would threaten me with bodily harm and every time I would be told, there is nothing they could do. It is not against the law for them to go off their meds and in the State of VA, it is only illegal to threaten someone over the phone or internet apparently if you do it to their face that's ok. His own psychiatrist called the police and told them he was concerned for my safety because this person seemed obsessed with me when they were off their meds. He ordered an immediate pick up which should have resulted in him being picked up for a 3 day evaluation. My attacker showed up at a coffee house that I went to every Friday, the police were called, the police came. I told them about the order. The police pulled my attacker aside and spoke with the individual and then said they were going to cancel the Psychiatrists order because they did not feel he was the danger the psychiatrist claimed him to be. I was livid and terrified. How could they do such a thing!! they aren't Dr's they can't do that. but off they let this person drive off. The next morning they showed up at my job and chased me down and beat me with a large industrial flashlight. shattering my elbow and rendering my left arm that I was using to cover my face disabled. He was trying to kill me. After that he became a ward of the state. It should not have to go this far in order for schizophrenics to get the help they need. Most of them go off their meds because they don't accept their illness. It is like trying to convince someone its raining when the sun is shining.

Answer 6

The question is...WHO is going to make sure that these people do take it? Does someone have to go to this persons house every day and cram pills down their throat? If so, then then we should make sure that people convicted a DWI are NOT drinking before the get in a car. I don't see how you could carry out such actions. If you can't be responsible for yourself, then you should be locked up, away from others.

Answer 7

i think of this is terrible. Now people would be afraid to flow to a physician to communicate approximately psychological problems, for concern that they would be compelled to take drugs. So now they wont get the help that they actually need. What a stupid regulation. except, you have some thing extreme, like schizophrenia, then perhaps those people could be compelled to take drugs, yet there are a number of different psychological ailments, that don't choose MEDS to scientific care.

Answer 8

While I'm all for personal freedom, when a person is a danger to themselves or others, they absolutely should be forced to take medication unless they choose to live a facility where they can be controlled. I understand that they cannot help their condition, but a parent looks out for the best interests of their child in the same respect. Laws should be imposed for people who are danger, however, infringment upon freedoms (or misuse of legislative time) could be classified under laws that really aren't that important, ie seatbelt laws for adults.

Answer 9

Yes, I think they should be forced to take their meds. The problem with severe mental illness is if you skip one, you may not be capable of voluntarily taking another one. This is not just for the protection of the public, but for their own health as well. These medications are a miracle as it is. The historical treatment of mental illness is far more barbaric.

Answer 10

in circumstances deemed to be serious and a danger to society, i suppose it is important to put mentally categorised individuals under duress to take medication so as to protect the general public from harm's way. this is to prevent such ordeal as that of Kendra and the general conscience of those mentally affected.