MENTAL ILLNESS: FRONT-END SOLUTIONS ARE ESSENTIAL

The consequences of untreated mental illness have been hidden for too
long. If we want to change what a recent presidential commission
called our "broken" mental health system, the state must focus on
front-end solutions that get to the root of the problem, instead of
focusing on stop gap measures like short term incarcerations, that
only prolong suffering and drive up costs. Being mentally ill is not a
crime, but too many people who need treatment are ending up in our
jails and prison systems due to their illnesses. Many are unable to
get timely treatment in their local communities due to long waiting
lists. As a result, many suffer psychotic breaks that lead to
behaviors that cause their arrest.

The offenses are often minor, such as disorderly conduct or open
container violations. But unless the person is sick enough to fall
under the Baker Act or be hospitalized, officers have little choice
but to take them to jail. I became an advocate on behalf of people
with behavioral and substance abuse problems after seeing the same
people with mental illnesses and drug problems arrested over and over
again. It's a scenario that's repeated every day in virtually every
jurisdiction in the state, and it's costing taxpayers dearly. Florida
is the fourth-largest state in the country, yet it ranks a dismal 47th
in mental health funding. Even though the state has made some
improvements over the years, the truth is that only 58 percent of
adults and 52 percent of children who depend on publicly funded mental
health treatment have access to those services. Additionally, less
than 23 percent who need substance abuse treatment can get it.

Untreated mental illness and substance abuse are crippling our state
and our communities and leaving people who need help with nowhere to
turn. Consider this: An estimated one in five inmates in Florida jails
and nearly half of all youths in Florida's juvenile commitment
programs have been diagnosed with a severe mental illness.

Homelessness is up 23 percent in the last three years. Baker Act
requests are up 51 percent over the last 6 years. Two-hundred-thirty-five
new crisis beds are needed just to meet current demands. Our state has
the second highest number of suicides in the nation. If the state
truly wants to reduce crime and addiction, it must make a commitment
to get this population into community-based treatment. Directing more
dollars to treatment will help relieve the burden on the criminal
justice system, save lives and taxpayer dollars.

John Rutherford

sheriff

Jacksonville