May 10, 2007

Lobbyist PR

Lobbyist PR

In two Cambridge Chronicle notices PR flacks for the psychiatric
industry and the drug companies promote more treatment and pretend to be
advocates for persons accused of psychiatric illness. ("Cambridge
media co. wins accolades," Cambridge Chronicle, June 1, 2006, page 28; and
"Vinfen hosts mental health forum," page 32)
The first the notice describes the award being for "significant
contributions to people with mental illness . . . advocacy, public education,
treatment, research and rehabilitation." Advocacy can be for anything. Is there
any advocacy to protect the basic constitutional rights of persons accused of
psychiatric illness? There are few individuals or organizations which treat
persons accused of psychiatric illness as citizens with rights. They are almost
always treated as consumers or patients. Corporate professionals always speak
for the patients. Under what system is the patient denied their voice?
The second notice mentions NAMI, which is a lobbyist for the drug
companies. Vinfen is a not for profit human services corporation providing
treatment. Vinfen's president earns more than $300,000 per year plus benefits.
NAMI gets millions from drug companies to promote drug treatment.
NAMI masquerades as an advocate for patients. They are advocates for the
drug companies not for humans. The MA Department of Mental Health is a taxpayer
funded lobbyist for the same corporate interests as NAMI. The DMH provides no
protections against psychiatric abuses of vulnerable citizens in the
Commonwealth.
Through campaign contributions, Vinfen and NAMI influence the legislature
to fund more and more treatment. The money goes for made up illnesses denying
treatment to poor persons who have real diseases.
This is a boondoggle that must defunded. The Chronicle does a disservice to
taxpayers and to persons accused of psychiatric illness by printing these
press releases.
--
Roy Bercaw, Editor ENOUGH ROOM
Cambridge MA USA

No comments: