DOJ To Investigate Mental Health Sytem
Wednesday, November 24 2010
by Rose Hoban
Report from Disability Rights North Carolina
The U S Department of Justice will investigate North Carolina's use of adult care homes to house patients with mental illness. Rose Hoban reports.
Rose Hoban: A report issued by Disability Rights North Carolina this summer claimed thousands of mentally ill patients were warehoused in homes originally intended for frail elderly people. In four cases, mentally ill patients died at the hands of other residents. The organization flagged the situation to the Department of Justice. Vicky Smith heads Disability Rights She says the state has cut services for too long, leaving thousands without treatment options. She says that's why now, the D-O-J is investigating.
Recently the state of Georgia settled with the Department of Justice over a similar lack of community services. Now, Georgia is compelled to spend tens of millions of dollars to create community services for people with mental illness. A Health and Human Services spokesperson says no one can comment because of the ongoing investigation. Rose Hoban, North Carolina Public Radio, WUNC.
This story is part of the North Carolina Voices series Mental Health Disorder. Read Rose's blog about this series.
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