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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 3, 1987)
Editorial Mental health care a priority issue Last week the Oregonian ran a series of articles on the conditions of the state’s mental health institutions. The reports brought many mental health care problems to the surface. Unfortunately it also realized how difficult it will be to solve them. Oregon once was known for its progressive mental health programs, but these ideas have not been carried out recently. The concept of deinstitutionaliz.ation, for example, is the primary policy implemented in the state It believes patients can receive equal treatment and lead fuller lives if they are integrated into the community. But lack of com munity support and substandard housing for the patients have hampered the effectiveness of this policy. However, deinstitution has helped to reduce over crowding at state institutions. This, in turn, relieves some of the pressures on an already overworked staff. Violence is still a major concern, though. Both patients and workers have been injured in attacks by other patients. For this reason, staff safety was an issue during the Oregon Public Employees Union strike in September. According to the Oregonian, last year employees of Dammasch and Oregon state hospitals filed almost 340 injury claims and the state spends almost $0 million for workers compensation. This problem is a direct result of understaffed institu tions — there are not enough employees to watch over the patients. "When you got four (psychiatric) aides, it’s hard to cover 30 to 40 patients on all parts of the ward," Chuck For ward, an Oregon State Hospital psychiatric aide, told the Oregonian. Hiring more staff would be a simple solution to this aspect of the problem, but it is not possible until the legislature reconvenes in 1989. Already this year the Kmergency Board granted $900,000 to move 50 Dammasch patients into community care. However, the board denied another $700,000 request for general psychiatric staff at the Oregon State Hospital. The Kmergency Funds are running low. Almost half of the reserve has been allocated to fighting forest fires. Governor Neil Goldschmidt has acknowledged the need to repair and maintain quality mental health care in Oregon, and will make it a priority when the Legislature meets. Hut Goldschmidt faces 10 years of neglect. The state Human Resource chief. Kevin Concannon. stated the lack of action will ho difficult to overcome. "It's an unrealistic hope that the governor will make up in 10 months for 10 years of pent-up demand," he said to the Oregonian. Efficient and safe mental health care is a problem that has been overlooked too many times. The Oregonian’s series has played an important and much needed role in ad vocating a proper, quality system. The articles should not be ignored. Instead they should be seen as a potential solution to solving many of the problems. If Oregon is truly concerned about caring for its mental ly ill, it will address the issue as soon as possible in the Legislature. It is possible for the state to regain its famous, progressive programs, but people need to realize it will take time, money and dedication. Oregon Daily Emerald The Oregon Daily Emerald la published Monday through Friday except during exam week and vacations by the Oreoon Dally Emerald Publishing Co. at the University of Oregon. Eugene. Oregon. 97403 The Emerald operates independently ot the University with offices on the third floor of the Erb Memorial Union and Is a member of the Asaoclated Press The Emerald is private property The unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law General Staff Advertising Director Susan Thelen Production Manager Michele Ross Classified Manager Kelli Mason Assistant to the Publisher Jean Ownbey Advertising Sales; Ten Boring. Gary DeLossa. Tom Leech. Cathenne Lil|a. Rick Marti. Laura McKinney. Heather Mull. Joann Nelson. Julie Paul. Barbara Rogers. Scott Thorltlldson. Joan Wildermuth News and Editorial 8*4 5511 Diaplay Advertising and Business 688-3712 Classified Advertising 488-4343 Letter Perfect Graphics 6*4 5511 Production *44-4381 Circulation 6*4-5511 Editor Managing Editor Now* Editor Editorial Pago Editor* Sport* Editor Photo Editor Graphic Design Editor Spoclal issues Editor Entertainment 'Sport* Segment Editor Night Editor Stanley Nelson Scott Matron Eden God bey Angela Muniz/Steven Hoenisch Aaron Knox Shu-Shing Chen Lorraine Rath Kelly Kortekaas HC Hutto Andrew LaMar Associate Editors Community Stephen Maher Higher Education Administration Michael Drummond Student Government Activities Carolyn Lamberson General Assignment .'Entertainment Will Hoibert Reporters: Betsy Clayton. Paula Green. Fraie de Guzman. Craig Harris, Gary Henley. Andrew LaMar. Jett Morgan. In gnd Petersen. Cami Swanson. Kelvin We* Photographers: Shertyn Bjorkgren. Marla Corvallis. Andy Crip*. Dusty Etzel. Derrei Hewitt. John Giustina. Bobbie Lo. Ross Martin. Andre Ranlert. Dan Wheeler. Michael Wilhelm Production: Sandra Daller / Ad Coordinator Kelly Alexandre. Ronwin Nicole Ashton. Virginia Baniaga. Laura Cam art, Ellen Cross. Eva Cohen. Stephanie Dry nan. Dolores Ferreo, Shannon Gaither. Us* Haggerty. Stephanie Holland. Derrdr* Kelly. Eliot Knight. Chris Knox. Jung Lae, Bobbie Lo, Ross Martin. James Mason. Angie Muniz. Ted Shepler. Linda Sperling. Usa Svanevik. Ingrid White. Mika Wilhelm. Kelly Williams, Serena William*. X Kang XI* ' HELLO , rUTMON * Von (joT ANY MORE ERllHANT IDEAS ? 7/ Letters Gulf policy In |une 1986 when the U.S. Navy arrived in the Persian Gulf to reflag Kuwaiti oil tankers, the Department of State announced three major objectives of U.S. policy in the gulf: 1) To protect the unimpeded flow of oil; 2) to stand by American friends in the gulf; and 3) to limit Soviet influence. Now that more than three months have passed since the reflagging policy began, one can question the achievements of U.S. objectives in the gulf. Kirst, not only has the flow of oil not become unimpeded, but tankers are now, more than ever, subject to indiscriminate attacks (by direct and indirect belligerents). According to Lloyd's of London, in the six months before the U.S. arrived in the gulf, only SR attacks were recorded on more than 400 com mercial ships using the gulf dai ly. In the three months since the reflagging policy, there have been at least 53 attacks on com mercial ships This clearly in dicates that commercial shipp ing now is twice as dangerous as it was before the United States arrived in the Persian Gulf Second, the American friends in the gulf (countries who sup port Iraq in the Gulf War) are now. more than at any other time, in danger of direct conflict with Iran, and their conditions are far from being safe. The latest Iranian attack on the Kuwaiti Sea Island main oil ter minal attests to this. Now for the first time since the beginn ing of the Gulf War in I960, Kuwait has become directly in volved in an act of war with Iran. With the escalation of the war and more pressure on Iran, Saudi Arabia and other gulf kingdoms will become targets for further Iranian attacks. Third, the military pressure from the United States can put Iran in an impossible situation, and open the door to direct Soviet involvement in the coun try Relations between Tehran and Moscow have already pro gressed far beyond the level of "flirting,” and a direct confron tation with the United States can easily throw Iran into the open arms of the Soviet Union. This would bo contrary to the U.S. policy of “Soviet containment." Gulf security, which is the main objective of the U.S. policy, depends greatly on the achievement of peace between Iran and Iraq. As far as peace is concerned, the present U.S. military exercise in the gulf has. so far. proved to be counter productive. Masoud Kheirabadi, Ph.D. Geography Department Ignorance The letters appearing in the Emerald in response to the Soviet Free Zone poster displayed by the College Republicans are at best disap pointing. 1 find it very hard to believe that these letters were written by University students (on a liberal arts campus at that!). It is disappointing that students who are learning to think critically cannot make the connection between the Soviet Free Zone and other Free Zone legislation. Is the idea of political satire dead? How is it possible that "students" from this liberal arts university that has a social science requirement cannot understand that "Soviet" refers to a government, not a race of people. Is a Republican a racist because he or she does not agree with the democrats? How can students of a univer sity that has a history of ac tivism not make the connection between the poster and the Soviet invasion and subjugation of the Afghan people? Prior to the Soviet invasion, I’m sure that the Afghan nation (and race) would have welcomed be ing declared a Soviet Free Zone. The greatest disappointment of all is that there are "students” here who do not understand the importance of the constitutional guarantee of the freedom of speech. To sug gest that anyone not be allowed to express their opinion in public, and should confine their opinions to "the privacy of their own bedroom,” is an attack on the very principle that allows our university to exist as as in stitution where the exchange of ideas is promoted, strengthen ing our nation as a whole. 1 would like to see the College Republicans display a new poster. It should read: “Ignorance Free Zone: No Misconceptions Allowed!” Daryl Nichols History Don't stress In response to the article on stress (ODE, Oct. 28): Happiness. Isn't that what makes life worthwhile? Yet most college students put themselves under tremendous stress for future rewards (e g. a good job) Does it make sense to flog yourself academically so you can feel the comfort of the “good life" when you graduate? Education is a joy unless it dominates life, just as work can become tedious. Life has so much to offer, and it is a shame that we have become slaves to our textbooks. So take as long as you need to complete your degree. Work, play and live life to the fullest along the way. Only you can create stress — and only you can avoid it. Allen Hancock PPPM
