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Proceeding contribution from Baroness Masham of Ilton (Crossbench) in the House of Lords on Monday, 8 January 2007. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on Mental Health Bill [HL].

Mental Health Bill [HL]

I support Amendment No. 5. It would be wrong to prevent the treatment of someone suffering from alcohol or drug abuse if they had a co-existing mental disorder. It is well-known that alcohol or drug abuse, or both, can exacerbate a mental illness such as schizophrenia. Some years ago, I was involved with an alcoholic man who would suddenly lapse into a schizophrenic state when he had been drinking alcohol, becoming a dangerous and different person. There were several frightening incidents; once, he threatened a friend of mine with a knife. It would be wrong to make alcohol or drugs an excuse for not treating the mental illness. Far too many people residing in Her Majesty’s prisons suffer from schizophrenia and do not get the treatment they need. That is of great concern to many, including prison governors. Will the Bill address that dilemma?

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
688 c80 
Session
2006-07
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Disability Children Codes of practice Alcoholic drinks Autism Compulsorily detained psychiatric patients Diagnosis Drugs Ethics Discrimination Ethnic groups Learning disability Mental illness Prisoners Misuse Patients' rights Minority groups Psychiatric patients Mental health services Mental health Scotland Sexuality Behaviour disorders
Legislation
Mental Health Act 1983
Mental Capacity Act 2005
Mental Health Bill (HL) 2006-07
Draft Mental Health Bill (2004)
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk