ADVOCACY NEWS FROM NAMI NEW JERSEY:
1. NJ ASSEMBLY BUDGET PANEL HEARS PLEA TO KEEP HAGEDORN OPEN
2. NJ COUNTY FIGHTS HOMELESS LAWSUIT
3. ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCES SETTLEMENT WITH ASTRAZENECA
4. BEHAVIORAL PROGRAM FOR SENIORS GARNERS ATTENTION
***********************************
NJ ASSEMBLY BUDGET PANEL HEARS PLEA TO KEEP HAGEDORN OPEN
The sister of a Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital patient asked lawmakers Tuesday not to close the institution, a move that’s expected to save the state $9 million in the state’s fiscal 2012 budget. Gov. Christie’s $29.4 billion proposed spending plan does not name which one of five state hospitals would be shut down. Hagedorn, a 310-bed hospital in Hunterdon County, was identified for closure last year by Christie and the Department of Human Services, but employees and advocates rallied against it.
View the story:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/nj_assembly_budget_panel_hears.html
***********************************
NJ COUNTY FIGHTS HOMELESS LAWSUIT
Ocean County insists it has no constitutional obligation to operate a homeless shelter. Lawyers for the county made that assertion in court Monday in response to litigation filed by homeless advocates against the Board of Freeholders and its Board of Social Services. The county government is being petitioned to open a shelter as an alternative to the encampments such as Tent City in Lakewood that have popped up in the woods off main highways.
Jeffrey J. Wild, an attorney representing some of the homeless residents, argues Ocean County is in violation of the state constitution, which states: "Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people, and they have a right at all times to alter or reform the same, whenever the public good may require it."
Read more:
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110315/NJNEWS10/110315001/0/NEWS0102/NJ-county-fights-homeless-lawsuit?odyssey=nav%257Chead
***********************************
ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCES SETTLEMENT WITH ASTRAZENECA
Attorney General Paula T. Dow announced today that New Jersey has entered into a $68.5 million, multi-state settlement agreement with pharmaceutical manufacturer AstraZeneca that resolves allegations the company deceptively marketed its anti-psychotic drug Seroquel. Under the settlement agreement, New Jersey will receive approximately $1.85 million. Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia also are party to the settlement, described as the largest-ever multi-state, consumer-protection-based pharmaceutical settlement.
The settlement, charges that AstraZeneca engaged in unfair and misleading practices when it marketed Seroquel for unapproved or off-label uses. The Complaint also alleges that AstraZeneca failed to adequately disclose the potential side effects of Seroquel to health care providers, and withheld negative information contained in scientific studies regarding the safety and efficacy of Seroquel.
Read the Attorney General’s Press release:
http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases11/pr20110310a.html
***********************************
BEHAVIORAL PROGRAM FOR SENIORS GARNERS ATTENTION
For the last several years, the Chelsea Assisted Living senior citizen center has been building a program called "Crossings" designed to help individuals suffering from chronic mental illness. Seniors suffering from issues like anxiety and depression are given a multifaceted array of support and services from a clinical team with the aim of helping them achieve wellness and independence.
The Crossings program was recognized this month as a "Program To Watch" by the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA).
"Previous to this (Crossings program), most people in their situation would be put in a nursing home in a dementia unit," said Kathy Pietrocola, executive director of The Chelsea at East Brunswick. "And really, they were unfortunately misplaced there in a situation that did nothing for them. They may just be withdrawn in their rooms, they may not come out, they may not be much involved in anything.
Read more:
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110315/NJLIFE04/103150302/On-the-right-path
