According to a recent op-ed, our illustrious governor has introduced bills sanctioning the use of jail cells for Alaskans burdened with mental health issues. Despite a court finding to the contrary, he thinks this makes good legal sense.
Alaska Psychiatric Institute’s doors remain open, yet it’s only 50% full, again according to the op-ed. Like so many functions of our day-to-day lives, money is the driving force. API needs it drastically. And mental health “inmates” need it more.
I don’t know the costs associated with bringing API to working capacity. The physical plant, enhanced safety procedures and full staffing will all cost a lot. Where, oh where, do we get that kind of money? I know exactly where.
Currently the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority is planning on spending umpteen millions of dollars for a road to and through the Ambler Mining District. I know Alaska’s economy thrives on development of its resources and this road will facilitate that development. But I find it quite short-sighted, despite our long-term budgetary quandaries, that we want to exploit the development of some mineral resources at the cost of exploiting the safety and treatment of another of the state’s resources — its citizens.
It’s like the current pandemic. If one chooses to leave one’s house, you prioritize mightily before choosing where to go and for what reason. Nonessential outings are foregone.
This road and the money spent on it falls in the nonessential category. The essential category is treatment of people. The state has been in the throes of the budget crisis for an embarrassingly long time. This road can wait. Our citizens cannot.
— Sherry Lewis
Kenai
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