August 11, 2009

Good afternoon!

I am Cathy Katsnelson of Marlton, New Jersey and I am here today to witness the signing of Gregory’s law by Govenor Corzine. For anyone who is not familiar with this legislation, this bill will improve New Jersey’s commitment process by allowing for involuntary commitment to outpatient treatment as an alternative to inpatient hospitalization.  This form of assisted outpatient treatment is a less restrictive, less expensive treatment alternative for people who need intervention but do not require inpatient hospitalization.  Over six years in the making, the new law provides another tool for helping those people with incapacitating symptoms of illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The effort marks years of work by New Jersey supporters whose own experiences with untreated mental illness ignited the change.

I am here and have been asked to say a few words today as a supporter and initiator of this endeavor for change. My family and I began this journey as victims of the current metal health system laws in New Jersey on October 17th, 2002 when our then 11 year old son Gregory’s life was taken by a man diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia who denied his illness and refused medication and treatment to relieve the symptoms. Losing our son was devastating, but what made this tragedy even harder to endure was learning that this man’s family was aware of his condition and had tried on several occasions to get him the help he so desperately needed, but they had been denied and turned away because of the way the system worked. On that day in October 2002, our son’s life was taken as well as the life of this man’s own mother. We knew then that something had to change! These senseless tragedies had to stop!

In September 2003, my husband, Mark, and I met with Senator Martha Bark of Mount Laurel in Southern New Jersey and began to take the steps we felt would bring about this change. In November 2003, the first draft of this bill which was to be known as ‘Gregory’s Law’ was submitted to the Senate for review by Senator Bark. While the original bill did not get a lot of attention and did not go far, my family and I did not give up hope or lose sight of what we knew needed to be done. We are grateful that Senator Codey introduced and sponsored this bill which has finally been successful in passing the Senate and Assembly without a single nay vote! His dedication, attention and influence to this concern have, without a doubt, been instrumental to its success. Over the past six years of striving to improve the treatment laws in New Jersey we have met and worked with many people, and we would like to thank all of you who have been a part of making this day possible. While it is not officially known as ‘Gregory’s Law’, to me, my family, our friends, everyone who knew Gregory and are still inspired by him, it will always be referred to as ‘Gregory’s Law’. Senator Martha Bark, Senator Codey, Senator Cardinale, Senator Vitale, Assembly member Jack Conners, Assembly member Shelia Oliver, Mr. Davidson, Mr. Lubitz and everyone at the Treatment Advocacy Center thank you for your continued support and tireless work.

Governor Corzine, I would like to thank you for your invitation to be here today, the opportunity to speak and, most importantly, your signature! You are giving hope to patients, their families and care givers and to all New Jerseyans for a better way of life and a safer New Jersey. As I mentioned, my family and I began this endeavor as victims feeling helpless to change what has happened to us, but after six years of working on this legislation, taking part in and playing an integral role in bringing about a positive change, we are now survivors.

Thank you! Thank all of you!