Date: Sun, 30 Nov 1997 01:07:23 +0100
From: Calogero Cannarozzo <cannarozzo.lillo-AT-iol.it>
Subject: M-PSY: Re: Greetings from Italy


Hallo,
	The impression that one can have from out of Italy that the implementation
of the law 180 depends from local political support and social awareness is
right! But not at all: For many years we did not have a national plane, and
in Italy the resources, till now , are delivered from center.
	Anyway I thing that the social awareness has worked better than the
political support. Infact you have to note that all the Trieste experience
of F. Basaglia (before the law) was accomplished under a local Christian
Democratic (D.C.) government. Besides, we say that the map of
implementation of the law shows a " leopard skin"  trend, but if you see
this map you realize that in the south there are less realizations; This
means that there is not a linear function between the massive presence of
former Communist Party's elects in the local assemblies and the
implementation of the law. Of course in the areas where the former
communists where the majority it was more likely that more resources had
been allocated for the new mental health service.
	As demonstration that the things don't go in a linear pattern, I can tell
that the last bill on M.H. is forwarded by two deputies: one of CCD
(center-right) and one of Rifondazione Comunista ( party of wich I am
member); and that I do not agree with most of the contents.
For example I do not agree with the proposal of institute a Territorial
Mental Emergence Service that in my opinion can became a sort of
psychiatric police, specialy, but not only, if it will be a first level
service; I don't agree with the proposal to install the headquarter of the
M.H.S. in the residencial structure and I don't agree with the proposal of
a compulsory residentiality. I have to note also that this law reintroduces
the concept of "dangerousness for himself and others" that was present in
the old law (1905) and that was banished by the 180.
	As long as concerne what you call "detenction" for "only" a weak
contemplated from 180, this is not exact; infact the "TSO" ( compulsory
treatment) can be prolonged for any time that the director of the
psychiatric division thinks usefull (of course under the supervision a
judge called "tutelare" in italian).
	Answering to Chris Burford, I don't have knowledge of any campaign for
Tony Negri freedom. I can only say that he came back to Italy 'sua sponte'
and did not call for any mobilitation. I have never agreed with him, and
neither I think he is a marxist, but I think that his incrimination under
the emotional wave of the "antiterroristic fight" was strongly raw and that
he was condamned under injust law and with absurd motivation; I think it is
dangerous that the italian left forget this at that time and now. 
"-"Calogero Cannarozzo
psichiatra, Livorno.


_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
"La fortuna e la natura... la non ti fa
mai un bene che all'incontro non
surga un male."
(Niccol=F2 Machiavelli)


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