As a national debate heats up on gun control, real mental health reform must not be overlooked here in New York or across our nation. New York has major problems and is denying vitally needed services to people struggling with mental disorders and is failing to help the families in need as they do everything they can to get proper help for their loved ones.
New York also is not providing safe mental health facilities that are free from abuse and neglect. Tragically, recently obtained New York records reveal the ongoing rampant abuse, harm and deaths of the disabled, many with mental disabilities, that continue in staggering scope within either New York-run or regulated facilities. There have been more than 83,000 allegations of abuse or serious reportable incidents since January 2008.
As Gov. Andrew Cuomo jumps on the political gun control bandwagon, he is negating his first responsibility to stop the violence happening against innocent children and adults with disabilities within the very agencies that he directly oversees.
He is quoted in an Associated Press article ("State plan for disabled follows abuse reports," Dec. 19) as saying, "It was an unjust system for many, many years," a day after he signed a law establishing the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs.
Cuomo is moving on to his next political goal as if he already has changed this extremely dangerous and "unjust system" and made it safe when he has not. The law the governor initiated and is referring to (S. 7749) fails to put the safety measures in place to stop most of the abuse from occurring or to stop the violation of equal rights or equal protections of the disabled.
The rampant abuse of innocent people with disabilities continues. The system remains extremely dangerous and the gross injustices go on.
MICHAEL CAREY
Glenmont