Detaining dangerous people with mental disorders

doi:10.1136/bmj.325.7354.2

BMJ 2002;325:2-3 ( 6 July )

Editorials

Detaining dangerous people with mental disorders

New legal framework is open for consultation

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The draft mental health bill published last week introduces a new legal framework for the compulsory treatment of people withmental disorders in hospitals and in the community.¹ On theday it was unveiled the bill was condemned and labelled as littlemore than a detention plan for dangerous mental patients.²The white paper on reforming the Mental Health Act that precededthe draft bill attracted a great deal of attention because ofits over-riding emphasis on public safety.^3-5 The fact that itwas not well received is hardly surprising given that it was bornfrom an unpopular green paper and proposals for managing dangerouspeople with severe personality disorder described as glaringlywrong and unethical.^6-10

Rather than continuing the theme of public protection,³ the ministerial foreword accompanying the draft bill seeks to reassureus that the new law will promote patients' rights and protectthem.¹¹ The term "dangerous people . . . [Full text of this article]

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Relevant Article

Detaining dangerous people with mental disorders: Philip A Sugarman
BMJ 2002 325: 659. [Extract] [Full Text]

This article has been cited by other articles:

Darjee, R., Crichton, J. (2004). New mental health legislation. BMJ 329: 634-635 [Full text]
Feeney, A. (2003). Dangerous severe personality disorder. Adv. Psychiatr. Treat. 9: 349-358 [Abstract] [Full text]
Sugarman, P. A (2002). Detaining dangerous people with mental disorders. BMJ 325: 659-659 [Full text]

Rapid Responses:

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Detaining dangerous people with mental disorders: a Government U-turn?: Philip A Sugarman
bmj.com, 9 Jul 2002 [Full text]
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Re: Detaining dangerous people with mental disorders: a Government U-turn?: Tony S Zigmond
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