Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Ontario begins review of community treatment orders (Canada)
Item in Mental Health Notes, published by CMHA-Ontario - "The Ontario government has asked mental health professionals, patients, family members and other stakeholders to provide feedback on the use and effectiveness of community treatment orders (CTOs). Community treatment orders were introduced through Brian’s Law in 2000, which amended the provincial Mental Health Act. According to the Act, community treatment orders are designed to provide people with serious mental illness with a comprehensive plan of community treatment that is less restrictive than treatment in a psychiatric facility. The legislation requires the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to conduct a review of CTOs during the third year after they came into use. The review will examine the reasons that CTOs were or were not used, the effectiveness of CTOs, and the methods used to evaluate any treatment delivered under CTOs. The ministry’s final report is due in July 2005..." See also the Community Treatment Orders: Ontario Legislated Review web site and the page on the CMHA web site on CTO's.  
  

Opposition to South Vancouver drug rehab centre continues (Canada)
Vancouver Sun story - "A proposed centre for people suffering from both mental-health problems and drug addiction has divided a south Vancouver neighbourhood. Many have vowed to stop the facility any way they can, and came out in force to speak against the project at a packed community meeting Monday night. More than 500 people attended the meeting..."