From: Jim Gottstein [mailto:jim.gottstein@psychrights.org]
Sent: Sunday, April 4, 2021 11:18 PM
To: jameshereford@me.com
Cc: jim.gottstein@psychrights.org
Subject: Stop Charles Helmer Forced Electroshock

Dear Mr. Hereford:

I am with the Law Project for Psychiatric Rights (PsychRights) whose mission is to mount a strategic litigation campaign against forced psychiatric drugging and electroshock.  We have teamed up with MindFreedom International to stop the forced electroshocking of Charles Helmer by your agency.  I know you have been sent other e-mails requesting the forced electroshocking of Charles stop.  As you have been informed, electroshock causes brain damage and the supposed therapeutic effect, which is really the euphoria that often follows a closed head injury, rarely lasts.  The United Nations has determined unwanted electroshock can constitute torture.  Yet, your agency persists.

The purpose of this is to let you know that to the extent the forced shock of Charles is not stopped immediately we are looking at mounting a legal effort against it.  I suspect this would bring unwanted revelations about and attention to what is going on.

In Alaska where forced shock is not done, PsychRights has won five Alaska Supreme Court victories holding Alaska's involuntary commitment and forced drugging regime unconstitutional or otherwise illegal. 

·         Myers v. Alaska Psychiatric Institute (2006) ruled Alaska's forced drugging procedures unconstitutional, requiring the state prove by clear and convincing evidence the forced drugging is in the person's best interest and there is no less intrusive alternative.  

·         Wetherhorn v. Alaska Psychiatric Institute (2007) held Alaska's involuntary commitment statute unconstitutional to the extent someone could be committed for being gravely disabled without the state proving the person is unable to survive safely in freedom.  

·         Wayne B. v. Alaska Psychiatric Institute (2008) ruled the State could not dispense with the requirement of a transcript when involuntary commitment and forced drugging cases are referred to a master for hearing and recommendations.  

·         Bigley v. Alaska Psychiatric Institute (2009) held on constitutional grounds that (a)  if there is a less intrusive alternative that is "feasible" for the state to provide, it must provide it or let the person go, (b) a petition for forced drugging must include information about the patient’s symptoms and diagnosis; the medication to be used; the method of administration; the likely dosage; possible side effects, risks and expected benefits; and the risks and benefits of alternative treatments and nontreatment, and (c) the hospital must give the person's lawyer their medical chart sufficiently in advance to allow for adequate preparation. 

·         In the Matter of Heather R. (2016) holding, based on statute, it was improper to order Heather to be picked up for an involuntary psychiatric evaluation without the Court first interviewing Heather if it was reasonably possible.

I, and others, have spoken with Charles and the representations made in court to obtain the commitment, forced drugging, and forced electroshock orders do not appear to be accurate.

I suggest you have the forced electroshocking of Charles stopped immediately.  Please advise me you have done so.

James B. (Jim) Gottstein, Esq.
President/CEO

Law Project for Psychiatric Rights
406 G Street, Suite 206
Anchorage, Alaska  99501  USA
Phone: (907) 274-7686  Fax: (907) 274-9493
jim.gottstein@psychrights.org

http://psychrights.org

The Law Project for Psychiatric Rights is a public interest law firm whose mission is to mount a strategic litigation campaign against forced psychiatric drugging and electroshock.  We are further dedicated to exposing the truth about these drugs and the courts being misled into ordering people to be drugged and subjected to other brain and body damaging interventions against their will.  Due to the massive psychiatric drugging of children and youth, PsychRights has made attacking this problem a priority.  Children are virtually always forced to take these drugs because it is the adults in their lives who are making the decision.  This is an unfolding national tragedy of immense proportions.  PsychRights is actively seeking sufficient funding to increase its impact.  See, Getting to the Next Level.