Maryland has needed an outpatient civil commitment program for people with serious mental illnesses for a long time ("Involuntary treatment pursued for mentally ill in Maryland," Dec. 10).
People with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other forms of the most serious of mental illnesses are often incapable of understanding their illness, rendering them incapable of providing for their own safety and health.
The streets and jails are populated with those who deserve better. Absent proper and timely treatment, such people can become the victims of a tragedy, the cause of one — or both.
Maryland has no beds available for moderate to long-term care, as those are occupied by people in the criminal justice system. But community-based treatment can fill that void. Preventing hospitalization by earlier intervention is vital to the health and safety of individuals and communities.
Ed Kelley, Ellicott City