ADVOCACY NEWS FROM NAMI NEW JERSEY:
1. VA. TECH CRITICIZED IN MASSACRE PROBE
2. PROBLEMS BESET PROGRAM FOR TROUBLED KIDS
3. STATE ENDS MONITORING OF FACILITY FOR DISABLED KIDS
4. PHARMA LOBBYING SHIFTS TO STATES
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VA. TECH CRITICIZED IN MASSACRE PROBE
The report cites a major breakdown in communication and
treatment in 2005 after a judge ordered Cho to receive outpatient
care. The judge ordered Cho was ordered to go to the university's
Counseling Center, but health-care professionals there never
treated him.
The panel also concluded that Virginia's system of treating
the mentally ill is flawed, particularly when it comes to
involuntary commitment. In Cho's case, the report highlights
poor communication among the university, health-care professionals
and the legal system.
"University officials . . . explained their failures
to communicate with one another or with Cho's parents by
noting their belief that such communications are prohibited
by the federal laws governing the privacy of health and
education records. In reality, federal laws and their state
counterparts afford ample leeway to share information in
potentially dangerous situations."
Read
the Washington Post story (free to register).
View
Chapter IV of the Report, Mental Health History Of Seung
Hui Cho.
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PROBLEMS BESET PROGRAM FOR TROUBLED KIDS
It was intended as a bold response to a challenging question:
how to help thousands of emotionally disturbed and mentally
ill children without sending them to institutions, hospitals
or jails. The solution is now five years old and has cost
the public an estimated $100 million. But to date the state
has provided virtually no oversight for the therapists,
failed to train or certify the aides, and in the view of
many parents, provided treatment that amounted to little
more than a baby-sitting service.
Read
the Star Ledger report.
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STATE ENDS MONITORING OF FACILITY FOR DISABLED KIDS
A South Jersey facility for children with developmental
disabilities has rectified longstanding problems with inadequate
supervision, training and medical care, the state Office
of the Child Advocate said yesterday, announcing that it
would end its ongoing monitoring. Bancroft NeuroHealth Inc.,
based in Haddonfield in Camden County, agreed to be monitored
two years ago. Some families had urged the Office of the
Child Advocate to investigate after they accused Bancroft
of mistreating their children.
Since the monitoring began, however, Bancroft has developed
a system to ensure there are enough workers to supervise
children, instituted a quarterly staff training program,
and improved how allegations of mistreatment are reported
to the state and investigated internally, according to the
child advocate's report.
Read
more.
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PHARMA LOBBYING SHIFTS TO STATES
Drugmakers concerned over proposed regulations
At a national convention of state legislators in Boston
this month there was a visible presence by the pharmaceutical
companies. The lobbying at the National Conference of State
Legislatures' conclave came as drugmakers find themselves
on the defensive, facing tighter regulations and restrictions
in many states. Some 500 pharmaceutical-related bills and
resolutions have been filed in statehouses around the country
since the start of the year. Many of the bills are aimed
at reducing drug prices; requiring pharmaceutical manufacturers
to disclose marketing expenses, including gifts and payments
to doctors; and restricting the commercial use of physician
prescription data.
Read
more.
