To:  letters@latimes.com

I would like to identify myself as a dual-diagnosed consumer provider with 13 years of continuous sobriety. I’ve worked for LAMP, a residential mental health provider located on Skid Row, as an outreach worker and advocate for the last 7 and a half years.

Having been homeless myself and working with this population for the last 12 years, I can say that voluntary non-coercive treatment is always preferable. The attitude of respect and dignity, as well as a non-judgmental approach, are very much a part of why LAMP has for the last 16 years demonstrated a success with this multi-disabled most treatment-resistant population. The issue of trust remains the fundamental core of any therapeutic relationship. Force always meets resistence. This country was founded on personal liberty. The reason why we continue to be successful in a non-traditional approach at LAMP is that we provide hope and access to basic human services that this population needs daily to survive.

Until the powers that be make the investment in tolerant, respectful and realistic approaches to voluntary treatment we will continue to spin our wheels. The courts and jails will continue to thrive until we change our attitude.

Respectfully,

Gerald N. Minsk

LAMP Staff Advocate
3761 Vinton Avenue
Los Angeles CA 90034
(310) 837-6494
gminsk2185@aol.com