Keep Dix open
Published: Fri, Jun. 27, 2008 12:30AM
Modified Fri, Jun. 27, 2008 05:33AM
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closeI agree wholeheartedly with your June 24 editorial on the need to keep Dorothea Dix hospital open. Earlier this month, I held a news conference in Raleigh calling on the General Assembly to keep Dix open for another year. On Monday, June 23, I wrote Gov. Mike Easley, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, Sen. Marc Basnight and House Speaker Joe Hackney urging them to personally intercede in this matter.
With the problems surrounding mental health escalating, the current administration appears to be implementing changes without proper planning. As a result, hundreds of millions of dollars are being misspent, poor medical treatment is being given to mental health patient, and concerns are rising for the safety of patients and staff in state mental facilities.
It is unacceptable that a nurse was beaten at Dix last week due to inadequate supervision of patients. It would be grossly irresponsible to close the hospital without making the necessary preparations for handling patients in a secure environment.
More A Opinion
Dix hospital must be kept open and properly staffed for another year. This will give the next governor a chance to evaluate its closing and recommend the best way to address the growing scandal in mental health programs.
Pat McCrory
Charlotte
(The writer is the Republican nominee for governor.)
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