The Lanterman-Petris-Short Act in California has been acclaimed for
protecting the civil rights of the mentally ill and curbing unnecessary
involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. Its passage, however, has not
prevented an increase in the rate of involuntary admissions to state
hospitals and a marked decrease in the rate of voluntary admissions. This
has greatly changed the functions and problems of state hospitals. In local
as well as state hospitals large numbers of people continue to become
involuntary psychiatric patients. In many cases this results from gaps
between the law and its implementation. It appears that professionals, the
courts, families, and society generally feel a continuing need for social
control of the mentally ill.Abstract Teaser