Let us reason on Kendra's Law

Re: "Kendra's lies," by Nancy Koenigsberg, (Insight & Opinion, Sept. 26).

There is much less real disagreement over the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Ordinance than readers are led to believe by the fiery tone of arguments over the bill, which verge on the aggressive.

Both supporters and critics of the legislation agree that assisted outpatient treatment will not solve our state's mental health problems, nor has it in any other state. We all agree that mental health services should be expanded, supported by evidence, properly evaluated, well-funded and easily accessible. No argument there.

Assisted outpatient treatment is designed to involve the court in medicating a few very sick people. The argument is over how we respond to the question: Is it ever right, under any circumstance, to make another person take psychiatric medication?

Some people's answer to this is: No, there are no circumstances under which it would ever be right for the courts to mandate psychiatric drugs. Others, including this writer, say: Yes, I can think of some circumstances where enforced medication would seem right to me.

Specifying these very particular circumstances, so as to minimize risk and maximize benefit, is difficult. A time limit and mandated timely review of the enforced treatment are indispensable components of the proposed ordinance. The conditions of mandated medicine should be scrutinized and debated minutely. But before we are scorched by the fire of passionate rhetoric, we must ask ourselves the what's-at-stake question: Are there any circumstances at all under which you could imagine yourself or others benefiting from mandated treatment?

Rosalind Arden

Editor,

Newsletter for the Albuquerque chapter

of National Alliance on Mental Illness,

Albuquerque

Housing will help the mentally ill

(Re: "Kendra's Law OK," by Jack Ehn, Insight & Opinion, Sept. 21.)

An encouraging outcome of the emotive discussion on assisted outpatient treatment - Kendra's Law - has been to make the public more aware of the mental health challenges in the community.

Out of the debate has emerged a growing consensus on the need to address New Mexico's poor mental health track record and to develop a comprehensive system of care.

A central component in a comprehensive system of care and in mitigating the risk of the mentally ill "falling through the cracks" is the provision of safe, affordable housing with support services.

Supportive housing addresses a number of community needs and concerns, and here I refer mostly to Albuquerque's most vulnerable citizens, the mentally ill and homeless.

First, supportive housing is a cost-effective intervention. . . .

In the absence of supportive housing, the mentally ill/homeless typically cycle in and out of the health and judicial systems at significant taxpayer expense. Research suggests that every $1 invested in mental health service provision translates into a $10 saving on other spending for this population.

Second, supportive housing aims to create a community of residents who provide support to each other. With on-site community rooms and activities, residents have a sense a community and monitor each other, which helps avert and contain mental health emergencies.

Third, on-site service coordinators provide a pivotal link in coordinating case management, food provision, medication management and crisis intervention. The Albuquerque Police Department's Crisis Intervention Team members typically know the residents and their histories and are therefore better equipped to respond in a crisis.

Fourth, supportive housing developments are usually certified by APD's Multifamily Crime Free program, which requires that properties meet certain standards and that successful training be completed by on-site management.

Furthermore, unlike with private property, where no one knows the criminal or other history of one's neighbors, publicly funded housing requires background screening and regular compliance reports that are open to public scrutiny.

Finally, central to the success of supportive housing is the need for the design to be noninstitutional and of a scale and quality that complements and adds value to neighborhoods. Supportive housing projects give substance to city objectives in that residents typically use public transportation and are loyal patrons of local businesses.

Unfortunately, while the need is increasing, federal funding for housing persons with chronic mental illnesses is decreasing, and the Bush administration had argued to cut funding by 50 percent in 2006.

Private charitable assistance exists, but as a constituency, the mentally ill and homeless don't command the resources and support that go, for example, to religious and educational charities.

An encouraging development at the local level has been the recent passing of work force housing legislation. Though not specifically targeted at housing for the mentally ill, the legislation signals recognition of the importance of affordable housing today for Albuquerque.

With many of Albuquerque's citizens on a Social Security Disability Income of $579 a month, and the current average market rental in Albuquerque of a one-bedroom apartment at $585 per month, the need for affordable housing is urgent.

John Bloomfield

Executive director,

NewLife Homes

Albuquerque

Volunteer now to teach reading

I have participated in the Albuquerque Reads literacy program for the past two school years and am gearing up to begin my third year in the program.

Studies have shown that kindergarten students who have taken part in the Albuquerque Reads program enter first grade at or above grade-level reading, where they were far behind prior to getting assistance.

The program is in place at three elementary schools - Atrisco, Bel Air and Wherry - and they are in need of more volunteer tutors.

I urge all of you to contact Albuquerque Public Schools and volunteer for this very worthwhile program.

Diana M. Sandoval

Albuquerque

Defense dollars, college, don't mix

In spite of its relatively small population, the University of New Mexico is easily in the top 20 universities that receive Defense Department funding.

Nearly 70 percent of UNM's annual budget comes from research and development of what can only be called weapons of mass destruction. These include newer, more powerful nuclear bombs, lasers and space-based weapons and targeting platforms, as well as what are called "nonlethal" weapons. Some of this research, conducted throughout the state of New Mexico, is in direct violation of international treaties to which the United States is a signatory.

UNM is ranked approximately number 15 of the top 20 colleges and universities that receive research and development funding from the Department of Defense - higher, even, than CalTech, Harvard, Cornell, or UC-Berkeley. . . .

The military-industrial complex is very real. It controls virtually every aspect of our existence in this country, and it has for many years. A growing number of Americans feel that our tax dollars could be put to a better use than killing people. . . .

Jason Darensburg

Albuquerque

A whack at Wilson's TV ads

I find myself turned off by the negative TV campaign ads "approved" by a smiling Rep. Heather Wilson. All they demonstrate to me is that she has a lot of money and that, though she may be smart - and I admit she is - someone whose best foot forward is a negative spin on the integrity of the opposition is not someone who gets my vote.

I don't watch much TV. Maybe Wilson's positive ads tell me something about her achievements. I realized one of them in this campaign is the politically effective uncomplimentary photos of Madrid. We all have had bad pictures taken of us, but I'm finding Wilson's smiley face particularly unappealing after her insinuations of corruption.

Talk about lies and corruption - well, to avoid being too negative about representatives of the current administration, I'd better stop there. I have a strong need to trust my representatives. I trust Patricia Madrid.

Phyllis Hoge

Albuquerque

Lower gas price is a conspiracy

Unless you're blind or have been on another planet, I'm sure you have noticed the abrupt drop of 15 to 30 cents per gallon in the price of gas, and the hype says it'll continue its downward slide.

That's wonderful, and I do hope that you are enjoying it, although it really should be a drop of a dollar or more.

I figure it is a conspiracy by the Bush people tied in with the oil companies to influence the election. After all, aren't President Bush - and Vice President Cheney - sleeping with the oil companies?

Enjoy the lowered gas prices as much as you can right now. But just wait until Nov. 8, the day after the mid-term elections, and you'll see gas prices zoom back up well over $3 per gallon.

Don't say I didn't warn you of a conspiracy.

Chuck Mittlestadt

Albuquerque

On virtues of eminent domain

Gov. Bill Richardson's Task Force on the Responsible Use of Eminent Domain will be making recommendations for this upcoming legislative session. I hope the members of the task force won't throw the baby out with the bath water and jettison eminent domain as a legitimate tool for redevelopment.

The Lofts might not have been built in the old Albuquerque High School if the city had not had the power of eminent domain in its redevelopment toolbox.

Instead, the task force should consider the Property Rights Ombudsman legislation that Utah passed in 2004. The ombudsman does many things: advises private property owners who have a legitimate potential or actual takings claim against a state or local government entity; identifies state or local government actions that have potential takings implications; and provides information to private citizens, civic groups and others about takings law and their rights and responsibilities under it.

Another idea - the ombudsman might examine how compensation is calculated, so that just compensation is truly just.

Certainly, eminent domain should be a second-best option to acquire property, but when it is necessary, the property owner should be fairly compensated. I'm not sure the current "fair market value" formula is fair in every case.

Lora Lucero

Board member,

N.M. chapter,

American Planning Association

Albuquerque

In support of the Qwest deal

What's the hold-up?

I've read that the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission and the courts are dithering about how to accept the new settlement from Qwest, which will provide millions of dollars in investment to the state's telecommunications infrastructure and our schools.

In my mind, the commission should have said yes on Day 1 and accepted the offer to begin implementing the program that will help New Mexico compete in the global economy.

Sometimes I wonder if bureaucrats are paid to make delays, not remove them.

I hope the issue is resolved soon for the betterment of New Mexico.

Melanie Lanier

Albuquerque

Vote for Madrid, conservationist

Re: Jim DiPeso's column ("Beyond petroleum," Insight & Opinion, Sept. 21).

The League of Conservation Voters would like to express its gratitude for Jim's articulate and far-sighted vision of U.S. energy policies.

Republicans for Environmental Protection and the League of Conservation Voters share a similar goal for energy independence and sensible policy crafting. It is unfortunate to note that Rep. Heather Wilson, our U.S. House representative, has not only failed to incorporate such lucid and practical planning in her positions, but she has actively voted against legislation to enact the recommendations REP puts forth.

In her support for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, increased oil subsidies and protectionist practices toward the Detroit automotive industry, she has traded the interests of every citizen of New Mexico and the United States at large for the dubious status as one of the largest congressional recipients of oil money.

The League of Conservation Voters is proud to endorse Patricia Madrid in the race for U.S. House District 1, a candidate who embodies the pragmatic and far-sighted environmental and energy policies that will lead us into a new era of security and independence.

While any policy recommendation requires cooperation between both parties, we must realize that this particular issue is receiving no formal attention from the current Congress.

Without a significant change in the political climate, the sensible recommendations of environmental groups of all stripes will never become a reality to the benefit of all Americans. We believe that Madrid will uphold the values of conservationism espoused by our organization - values that we share closely with REP. We hope that this election cycle will bring much-needed change, and that the 110th Congress will be one that is remembered for its innovation, not its fear-mongering and paralysis.

Graham Bass

League of Conservation Voters

Albuquerque