TAMPA, Fla. — In an opioid epidemic that is killing more than a hundred Americans every day, many families of overdose victims feel helpless when it comes to convincing their loved ones to seek treatment.
Police and other first responders — who often rescue the same people again and again — are similarly frustrated about their lack of authority to detain users long enough for their heads to clear so they can consider treatment.
But here in Tampa, police, health care professionals and families have a powerful legal tool not available in many other places: the 1993 Marchman Act. Families and health care professionals can use the state law to “marchman,” or involuntarily commit people into substance abuse treatment when they are deemed a danger to themselves or others.
Although the statute applies to all jurisdictions in the state, court records show that it has been employed in Tampa and surrounding Hillsborough County far more than anywhere else. Hillsborough County accounts for less than 7 percent of the state’s population and more than 40 percent of its Marchman commitments.
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
7 comments:
Sad that it's come to this,but what other choice is there? Right now there are millions of distraught family members who wish their son,daughter,mother or father had been forced to get treatment.Alcohol was pretty much it when the founding fathers penned the rules we live by,and muskets.Sure there were other drugs available in one form or the other,but not readily available enough to create addicts.....just drunks.
...danger to self or others...
Previously only used to commit people to mental health facilities, but isn't addiction a mental health issue that puts the person and those around them at risk? There's a lesson to be followed here.
The same could be said for anyone with a substance abuse problem that endangers their health and the well being of those around them.
Here's a thought. Maybe all these kids, who were brought up being told that everyone who participates gets a trophy, can't handle the reality of the real world.
There is nothing "mental" about addiction to a substance.
It is PHYSICAL. The body is addicted at a cellular level.
It is not something one imagines.
Addiction is real.
Heroin is a very dangerous product especially at the high quality it is being manufactured and imported by the US military.
Doctors should take some responsibility. I was prescribed pain bills for a condition not severe and I noticed that my refills we're good for 5 more. I took the prescription back and told the doctor they made me sick after one dosage and to remove the prescription from my records. He looked shocked.
Who's paying for all these 72 hour detentions? And more importantly who's profiting from this law? If you take an honest look at the recovery industry you'll find their record of keeping people off drugs and alcohol are terrible.
Post a Comment