Last resort Quote by Pete Earley
““We insist no one be compelled to take antipsychotic drugs until he becomes so deranged that he is in 'imminent danger' and a judge has to intervene to save his life. If we really believed that forced treatment was an injustice and forced medication was cruel, then why would we allow a judge to impose it as a last resort to save a life? ””
About This Quote
Compulsory antipsychotic treatment is justified only as a last resort to prevent imminent danger, despite concerns about injustice and cruelty.
In simple terms: Forced medication is allowed when a person poses a serious threat.
Key Takeaway
Balance patient rights with safety.
Themes
ethics
mental health
law
patient autonomy
risk management
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
ethical
legal
When to use this quote
- emergency psychiatric care
- legal hearings
- hospital policy
Key Concepts
involuntary treatment
judicial intervention
clinical decision-making
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it appropriate to override patient autonomy?
- How can safeguards prevent abuse of forced medication?
A Different Perspective
The definition of “imminent danger” can be subjective and may lead to overuse of forced treatment.
![“There was however, a group of 507 individuals who were permanent street dwellers [in Miami.] These 507 were not indigent, down-on-their-luck families. They were single people and every one of them was mentally ill.” quote by Pete Earley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/574/pete-earley-38111_groups_there-was-however-a-group-of-507-individ_2893848.jpg)
![“See that the mind is honest, first; the rest may follow or not as God wills. [That] the fundamental treason to the mind ... is the one fundamental treason which the scholar's mind must not allow is the bond uniting all the Oxford people in the last resort.” quote by Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c74/dorothy-l-sayers-738_academia_see-that-the-mind-is-honest-first-the-re_16293.jpg)
