May 13, 2004

The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger

Governor of California

The State Capitol

Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,

I am writing to bring your attention to AB 2286 and request that you veto it if it crosses your desk.  This bill concerns children, psychotropic (mind-altering) drugs and the role of public school personnel in the diagnostic process. 

As originally introduced by Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy it was an excellent bill.  It would “prohibit school personnel from suggesting any particular diagnosis or recommending that a student take a psychotropic drug…”  This bill was similar to legislation passed in 15 states.  On Wednesday, March 31, I testified before the Assembly Education Committee hearing on the bill.  A small measure of hope came out of the hearing when chairperson Jackie Goldberg stated that she recognized that there was problem and expressed a willingness to work with the author of the bill to modify the language of the bill so that the eight opposing members would find it acceptable. 

The final amending of the bill occurred on April 12  and the committee vote was April 14.  It now reads:  “This bill would AUTHORIZE  an employee of a school district who is a registered nurse, advanced nurse practitioner, physician or certified or otherwise appropriately licensed health professional, to RECOMMEND to the parent or guardian of a pupil that THE PUPIL USE A PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG or suggest any particular psychiatric or medical diagnosis.”  The author of the bill capitulated and the bill has now been approved by the entire assembly.  The amended bill is a travesty. 

I have enclosed information about Texas legislation which is in line with that of other states and the original AB 2286.  Also enclosed is information on a federal bill, S 1390, which will supercede AB 2286 when it is approved in the Senate, and it surely will as it has already passed in the House of Representatives on a 425 to 1 vote. 

Psychiatrist Peter Breggin says that “nothing measures the quality of a society better than how it treats its children.  Nothing predicts the future of a society better than how it nurtures and educates its children.  In America today, children as a group are in trouble, and psychiatry is moving in to take over.”  I urge you to veto this bill if it comes to you.  It will further put children in harm’s way as they are increasingly subject to psycho-pharmaceutical treatment for non-biological illnesses whose diagnoses are too often facilitated by the public schools.  As a retired teacher and current school board member I know this to be true. Take a look at the statistics for DEA Schedule II drugs in this country:  Five million children taking psychostimulants (Ritalin) and seven million on anti-depressants.  A sad commentary on how we nurture children. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Respectfully Yours,

Sharon Steele Kientz

Parent & Grandparent

Retired Teacher

School Trustee

'01

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