F.A.C.T.
Families Advocating for Compassionate Treatment
We are a growing group of families who have been heavily impacted by psychological disorders and co-occurring drug dependence in our loved ones.We have experienced a serious gap in services for these problems, which has increased the risks of incarceration, premature death, and extreme stress on families and friends.
Our experiences are not isolated ones. Thousands of American families are experiencing the tragic consequences of current policies which result in neglect and criminalization.
Respecting and utilizing the experience of affected families, our intention is to advocate at the local level and beyond for compassionate and effective treatment for those with mood/thought disorders and substance abuse issues.
We believe that by standing together, affected families will be able to assist each other, hold responsible agencies responsible and change the way our society treats those with mental illness and addiction.
We generally meet the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7- 9 PM in Jefferson Hall at the Unitarian Society, 1535 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara Map. Our phone number is 805-637-1339.
Families Advocating for Compassionate Treatment (FACT)
sponsored a
Town Hall Meeting on Monday, May 21st, 2007
at the Faulkner Gallery in the SB downtown Library.We brought families and top County (and a City) officials together to address the crisis we are facing in the way we treat people with mental illness and substance abuse issues.
There have been many tragic deaths and much suffering in our community as a result of the lack of mental health treatment facilities and residential treatment for people dealing with these issues. Typically they go to jail. Again and again and again. And often then to prison.
Is there any wonder the Santa Barbara County Jail and state prisons are overcrowded?
The evening was an exploration of treatment options and alternatives to incarceration for our dually diagnosed citizens.
The public was invited.
We had a very large panel:
Sheriff Bill Brown, County Supervisors Janet Wolf and Salud Carbajal, DA Christie Stanley, PD Gregory Paraskou, Police Chief Cam Sanchez's representatives, Judge Rogelio Flores, Probation Manager Lillian Pipersburg, Chief Deputy of Custody Operations Geophrey Banks, Interim ADMHS Director Doug Barton, CARES Manager Andrew Vesper, PHF Manager Dr. Walt Litwin, City Council Member Helene Schneider, JT Turner (Ex. Dir. of Phoenix of SB), Gary Linker (New Beginnings), members of NAMI and MHA: Ann Eldrige, George Kaufman and John Van Aken and members of FACT.
Community advocates for the 10 year plan and mental health consumers will also be present.
John Romo, President of City College, was our moderator for the evening.
The program began with a presentation by family advocates and followed with questions to the panel members.
We were pleased to have had this opportunity to bring a wide range of expertize to the table to collaborate in addressing a very complex and important issue in our community.To read our article in the February 8 2007 Santa Barbara Independent please click here
This is the link to the obits of each of our kids with gorgeous photos
- Scroll down to the 5 pieces from Feb 8th to read about our sons and see their pictures
