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Yes, it is vital for people to work toward better care options. Oregonians can learn real facts and can learn about real problems/ barriers/ solutions/ successes. Laws about confidentiality may complicate some public discussions, but that's not reason to give up. We must adopt or adapt what is working in other places, and develop new ideas as well. A NIMBY stance may seem clear, yet there are so many ways to avoid facing reality: elected officials? zoning laws? taxes and funding controversies?

Yes, some people have been convicted of crimes and found guilty but for insanity. Even more people have significant mental health problems but haven't received services and don't have appropriate diagnosis or treatment. Some of these people are impulsive, anxious, vulnerable, angry... factors that influence their decisions... including wrong decisions related to sexual activity.

There's another group of sometimes invisible people - those who have mental retardation or other developmental disabilities.

... and some of the people in groups described above have needs due to substance abuse. This can range from one-time impaired thinking to full-blown addictions. These problems, too, must be addressed effectively in large and small communities, in families, in faith groups, in and out of jails and prisons.

How might PTA, school, and faith groups make a difference? How might individuals help?

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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