Request for data about involuntary ECT in Oregon

David Oaks"
Date:	Fri, 1 Feb 2008 18:53:29 -0800
To:	"zapback"
Subject:	[ZapBack!] Fwd: Request for data about involuntary electroshock in Oregon

Laura Ziegler got me an academic article about forced electroshock in
Oregon that came out in 2005, glad to finally see this, didn't know
about it.

As you might guess, we have a long history of working on the of
electroshock here. I'm proud to have been arrested doing civil
disobedience on that particular topic here, actually! (We have a
shock device manufacturer here in Oregon.)

I've immediately made inquiries with the head of the mental health
system here.

If you'd like to add your own CIVIL NOTE to Bob Nikkel asking to be
informed of whatever he finds out go for it. I say civil, because I
want to provide zero excuse for non-response.

One impact of the movement is that a lot of mental health agency
leaders are at least acting friendly with our movement leaders. No
worries that we are lulled, though it's always a risk. Quite the
contrary. One can at least actually find and sit down and address and
quiz such folks, and get a some kind of words back... when years ago
we'd get slammed doors. Which is at least one difference from years
ago. Not enough, not enough. And actually yes a risk, because one can
lulled. But it is a difference, so let's use it.

It would help to show a bunch of people are curious about what is
found.....

David

Begin forwarded message:

From: David Oaks <oaks@mindfreedom.org>
Date: February 1, 2008 6:47:56 PM PST
To: Robert E NIKKEL <robert.e.nikkel@state.or.us>
Subject: Request for data about involuntary electroshock in Oregon


Dear Bob,

Hope you're doing well.

A member has sent us an academic law article that came out in 2005
about the use of involuntary electroshock over the wishes of citizens
considered competent here in Oregon:

Here's how to download the PDF of the article the member referred to
us:

http://www.lclark.edu/org/lclr/objects/LCB94_Newell.pdf

I'll copy this to the author.

Can you please -- on an urgent basis -- get me all data on the use of
involuntary electroshock in Oregon that you can possibly obtain,
especially recent data?

As you may know, Oregon has one of the weakest laws in the USA when
it comes to blocking forced electroshock. Many states at least
require a judge's signature, but Oregon only requires the signature
of a physician unaffiliated with the institution to "override" a
citizen's rights, which of course is just plain wrong.

Years ago Bob Joondeph and I worked on a bill to plug that loophole,
and of course it didn't go anywhere. MindFreedom International has
been one of the main groups to expose and focus on the problem of
forced electroshock. We're proud that we were able to successfully
encourage the World Health Organization to put in writing in their
legal guide that they absolutely oppose all involuntary electroshock
in the world.

Can you please request any and all information, on an urgent basis,
about the use of involuntary electroshock?

And for that matter, any data about the use of electroshock at all
would be helpful. But I'd rather get any data you do have or can get
as soon as possible, rather than wait to get it all at the same time.

Also, any comment on this article would be appreciated, though as I
said, please don't let that delay getting us any data.... please get
that to us as soon as possible on an urgent basis.

I'll copy this to a few folks who I think may be interested.

Thanks,

David

David W. Oaks, Executive Director
MindFreedom International
454 Willamette, Suite 216 - POB 11284
Eugene, OR 97440-3484 USA

web: http://www.mindfreedom.org
email: oaks@mindfreedom.org
office phone: (541) 345-9106
fax: (541) 345-3737
member services toll free in USA: 1-877-MAD-PRID[e] or 1-877-623-7743

United Independent Activism for Human Rights in Mental Health!

MindFreedom International is a non-profit coalition with a vision of
a non-violent revolution in mental health. Accredited by the United
Nations as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with Consultative
Roster Status.

Join now! http://www.mindfreedom.org/join-donate

"Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted." -
Martin Luther King, Jr.



David W. Oaks, Executive Director
MindFreedom International
454 Willamette, Suite 216 - POB 11284
Eugene, OR 97440-3484 USA

web: http://www.mindfreedom.org
email: oaks@mindfreedom.org
office phone: (541) 345-9106
fax: (541) 345-3737
member services toll free in USA: 1-877-MAD-PRID[e] or 1-877-623-7743

United Independent Activism for Human Rights in Mental Health!

MindFreedom International is a non-profit coalition with a vision of
a non-violent revolution in mental health. Accredited by the United
Nations as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with Consultative
Roster Status.

Join now! http://www.mindfreedom.org/join-donate

"Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted." -
Martin Luther King, Jr.



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