Comments on: Don’t go wasting your emotion http://jeffaho.com/archives/involuntary-admission/ Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:09:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Jeff http://jeffaho.com/archives/involuntary-admission/comment-page-1/#comment-19380 Jeff Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:29:25 +0000 http://jeffaho.com/archives/involuntary-admission/#comment-19380 Freedom, The current state of (Ontarian) law is quite unfortunate. I have met several people who have been held under these laws and while I won't deny that the doctor's/legislator's intentions are most likely honourable, it is a fine line you tread when you take away someone's freedoms in the name of security. Brian's law was adopted in response to a mentally ill person harming another person, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Smith_%28hockey_player%29" rel="nofollow">Brian Smith</a>. In the passion of legislating to quell to public uproar, individuals who pose no harm to others were lumped into the group and provisions to remove their freedoms were codified. Some quick research unfortunately indicates that such laws are common in the US as well, differing from state to state. An example is Florida's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baker_Act" rel="nofollow">Baker Act</a>. Even within Canada with it's recent tradition of civil libertarianism as a result of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Charter_of_Rights_and_Freedoms" rel="nofollow">Charter</a>, such a law has passed and is accepted. While it was passed by Harris' Conservative government, I doubt the Liberals will reopen it. -Jeff Freedom,

The current state of (Ontarian) law is quite unfortunate. I have met several people who have been held under these laws and while I won’t deny that the doctor’s/legislator’s intentions are most likely honourable, it is a fine line you tread when you take away someone’s freedoms in the name of security.

Brian’s law was adopted in response to a mentally ill person harming another person, Brian Smith. In the passion of legislating to quell to public uproar, individuals who pose no harm to others were lumped into the group and provisions to remove their freedoms were codified.

Some quick research unfortunately indicates that such laws are common in the US as well, differing from state to state. An example is Florida’s Baker Act. Even within Canada with it’s recent tradition of civil libertarianism as a result of the Charter, such a law has passed and is accepted. While it was passed by Harris’ Conservative government, I doubt the Liberals will reopen it.

-Jeff

]]> By: Freedom from Pain http://jeffaho.com/archives/involuntary-admission/comment-page-1/#comment-19374 Freedom from Pain Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:46:48 +0000 http://jeffaho.com/archives/involuntary-admission/#comment-19374 I have a new look on this subject after reading your article. Also an appreciation for living in the United States. It is astonishing to me how it was said.."the claim is that security of the patient trumps the freedom of the patient." Being a former cutter and having some suicidal thoughts i guess is where the disturbing feelings come from that they(Canada Law) is more worried about supposed security instead of the persons freedom and forcing your believes of someone else's security and making them give up their freedom would probably then drive the person to comment the illegal act. I do believe that most people feel this way and that Canada just put forth the action;this is what i have come across when i was struggling with the thoughts of suicide myself. Very little understanding of the person and the laziness of others then results in such laws being passed. I have a new look on this subject after reading your article. Also an appreciation for living in the United States. It is astonishing to me how it was said..”the claim is that security of the patient trumps the freedom of the patient.” Being a former cutter and having some suicidal thoughts i guess is where the disturbing feelings come from that they(Canada Law) is more worried about supposed security instead of the persons freedom and forcing your believes of someone else’s security and making them give up their freedom would probably then drive the person to comment the illegal act.
I do believe that most people feel this way and that Canada just put forth the action;this is what i have come across when i was struggling with the thoughts of suicide myself. Very little understanding of the person and the laziness of others then results in such laws being passed.

]]>