It would be beneficial if the state legislature would improve the rights for the disabled. Alaska is about 30 years behind best practice in adopting fair rights. Individuals with a developmental disability, mental illness and individuals in crisis — none are receiving treatment in private facilities or have a state grievance procedure with fair due process.
To date, there is no will in the legislature to improve rights for the disabled that would also help individuals in crisis. Non-profits that do a billion dollars in business, including crisis treatment centers and hospitals and attorneys, working with individuals in crisis as a general rule, have no impetus to work for changes to reduce mistreatment.
Individuals with a mental illness locked in institutions or units are too often made to feel helpless because of lack of rights, upon discharge they will take that same attitude to the streets and more easily become a victim, whether it is sex trafficking or being taken advantage of in other ways. A good answer is for the legislature to improve rights for the disabled and individuals in crisis.
A second issue is real job training and job opportunities for youths. Outlining the problem in an article is good but putting forth a solution in the Alaska Legislature has to be the final answer; the Legislature has not even scheduled a committee hearing to do research, but they should.
Mental Health Advocates
Faith Myers/Dorrance Collins,
Anchorage