But He Wasn`t Taking His Meds

The pharmaceutical industry makes many and varied drugs. The antipsychotic drugs help in treating mental illnesses. But they must be taken. When used properly and on schedule the antipsychotic drugs can make otherwise dangerous and disturbed individuals have a place in our community. But the drugs must be taken to be effective.

Have you ever heard someone say," But he wasn`t taking his meds?" Is that a justification for acts of violence?

When someone commits a violent act, provoked or not, it is still a violent act. If the violence results in an injury to a victim, legal action should be taken. If a person is known to repeatedly cause injury to others the situation cannot be ignored. It is not enough to say, "He wasn`t taking his meds." When potentially lethal weapons have been used, that is not enough.

If someone injures another person, it would seem to be a criminal case, unless the perpetrator is psychotic. If insanity is the defense, so be it. However, the situation must not be ignored by the authorities, or moved to another town. The Florida State Attorney ultimately decides what to do about criminal violence. That responsibility must not be shirked.

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