Editorial: Stop warehousing mentally ill, drunks

Thursday, Oct. 31, 2002 | 9:09 a.m.

It was an encouraging sign earlier this year when Gov. Kenny Guinn said he would push for state funding to build a state-run psychiatric hospital in Las Vegas. One reason for doing so would be to take away some of the strain that has been placed on hospital emergency rooms. Oftentimes mentally ill patients -- many are homeless -- are dropped off by police at regular hospitals, which really aren't equipped to handle them. But a psychiatric hospital, even in the best of circumstances, is many years from being built. A plan has emerged, however, that may offer interim help.

WestCare, a center to care for patients who need substance abuse treatment or who have behavioral problems, is willing to set aside 60 beds for those who are mentally ill. The center also could take care of chronic drunks, who currently also are taking up bed space at local hospitals because they have no place to go until they dry out. This week the Legislative Committee on Health Care endorsed the plan, which would cost about $3.8 million a year. The costs would be shared among state and local governments. The savings could be significant. Currently an emergency room bed costs $1,500 per visit, a regular hospital bed costs $824, yet a bed at WestCare costs just $130. There would be more than just warehousing of drunks at WestCare. Once they sober up, they would be placed in a treatment program there. Not only would money be saved, but the plan being advan ced is a compassionate response to an issue that has confounded Las Vegas for decades.