Camarillo State Hospital Proposals

Gov. Pete Wilson is making the biggest mistake of his life in proposing to close Camarillo State Hospital--the best mental health institution, not only in California but possibly on the planet.

The governor and others hope that the threat of closure will cause such a panic that county officials will make way for the state to turn Camarillo State Hospital into a forensic facility--which, in essence, would actually be a prison.

Pete Wilson and his knee-jerk staff are trying to make fools out of Ventura County officials and its citizens. Is this county really so hopeless, miserable and financially strapped that it would accept such a facility? Can we not think of other innovative ways of utilizing the hospital?

The battle has just begun. It will be like David fighting the mighty Goliath. But let us not be bullied by these big counties. We might be small, but we are like a dime among nickels.

LITA Z. BIEJO

Moorpark

* I am retired from Ventura County Mental Health, where I worked for 10 years on the inpatient unit. I continue to work with families of mentally ill relatives who advocate for improved laws, adequate treatment facilities and less stigma for those who are ill and who have mentally ill relatives.

Some seriously mentally ill require long-term hospitalization for their own safety, as well as the safety of families, neighbors and the community--including police officers who are often involved in responding to calls for assistance.

Why is Camarillo State Hospital being closed? I urge members of the community to ask this question of the Board of Supervisors, as well as members of the Legislature and Gov. Pete Wilson.

And perhaps it is time to change some titles. Maybe it should be the Ventura County Department of Mental Illness and the State Department of Mental Illness. Perhaps then we could move closer to providing a humane level of care for those who cannot protect themselves.

G. JAN JASON

Oxnard