May 2006 | Letters to the Editor
From Our Readers
The Julia Butterfly Hill Interview
I’m going to add to the countless accolades you are sure to receive as regards the inspiring article and interview with Julia Butterfly Hill (April 2006 CG ).
My sentiments exactly.... Many, many thanks!
— H. Dowling, Encino, California
Big Pharma Paranoia
In March 2005, Gar Smith wrote an article (See “Dock of the Bay”) about how George W. Bush was set to launch a “New Freedom Initiative” (NFI) in July 2005, which would begin the implementation of mandatory, nationwide mental health testing of “consumers of all ages,” with a view to medicating those whose mental states would benefit from costly mood-altering drugs.
Smith goes on to state that a “political/pharmaceutical alliance” was behind the NFI, with the goal of requiring the use of patented medications, presumably on those whose mental states are determined to be deficient.
Upon reading that article, I thought that either this was a rambling diatribe from a clearly paranoid schizophrenic or we have a serious problem to worry about. So I went online, found the original “New Freedom Initiative” text. Nowhere is mental health testing for “consumers of all ages” mentioned. Some 22 months after Gar Smith said the mandatory nationwide mental testing was to begin, I have not been contacted by the government. Has anybody else? Maybe Mr. Smith has. Given his symptoms, he really should be at the top of the list.
— Andy R. Datlen, Berkleley
Gar Smith Responds:
Thanks for the delightfully worded challenge! If you revisit the Web and Google the “President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health,” look under the commission’s lengthy list of recommendations. There you will find Goal 4: “Early Mental Health Screening, Assessment, and Referral to Services.” Included is Goal 4.4: “Screen [young children] for mental disorders in primary health care.” This is some of what has spooked the civil liberties worry warts.
But you’re right. There hasn’t been much evidence of this program gaining traction in US schools, although a few states reportedly have embarked on test programs. Thanks for giving me a reason to revisit this topic. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for me to go take my meds.
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