This weekend I filed a complaint with NPR, and encouraged others to do the same. My concern: NPR had author Pete Earley on promoting more forced psychiatric drugging, more institutions, easier commitment laws... but did not have on the other side of the story. 

Apparently by coincidence, another program with NPR -- their national Talk of the Nation -- invited me on today for a call-in show on this very topic.

The show today covered a lot of material, and you can find out about how to listen to an archive of the show, and comment on the NPR blog, by clicking here.

I especially appreciate that even though this is such a controversial topic, and even though to this day forced psychiatric drugging is one of the worst personal nightmares for me personally, it seemed as if we could glimpse common ground: Hearing from psychiatric survivors, including them, looking for creative alternatives, and more.

Unfortunately, there is a small but well-funded group that is promoting more of the same old same old: More and more and still more forced psychiatric drugging. And that's the Treatment Advocacy Center, which receives a great deal of money from the millionaire Stanely family.

Dr. E. Fuller Torrey, a key leader with "TAC," refuses to engage in even moderated dialogue on this topic. In an e-mail exchange with Dr. Torrey, he said there is an exception: He said he would debate if someone pays for him to travel to a federally-funded "Alternatives" conference in St. Louis. For some reason, Dr. Torrey has trouble agreeing to a civil discussion in the Washington, D.C. area with those who oppose his push for more forced psychiatric drugging.

And I think I have an insight into why Dr. Torrey is so reluctant to dialogue. I happen to hear from a reliable source that the TAC board once brought up the topic of forced electroshock -- that is, involuntary administration of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). After all, is TAC is such a promoter of forced psychiatric "treatment," then wouldn't TAC be a supporter of forced electroshock?

Well, there was apparently, from this reliable source, a major melt-down on the TAC board. I hear the board vehemently, and passionately, refused to endorse E.Fuller Torrey's call for more forced electroshock. So even TAC has its line. I'd encourage journalists to hone in on this, and specifically ask Dr. Torrey about forced electroshock, which happens internationally including in the USA. The World Health Organization has called in writing for a 100 percent ban on all forced electroshock, globally.

And why stop there? If Dr. Torrey is for forced "treatment" so vehemently, then why not forced psychosurgery? Some may not know it, but psychosurgery continues to this day, supposedly using "new improved" techniques (don't believe that!). So. Dr. Torrey, what about forced psychosurgery? What is your stand there?

If he says he opposes it because psychosurgery is so intrusive and potentially irreversible, and can change the brain, then guess what? So can long-term high-dosage neuroleptics. Even Dr. Torrey's own web site admits that the scientific jury is back, and that medical evidence shows that long-term high-dosage neuroleptics can alter the structure of the brain. Of course, Dr. Torrey hypothesizes that perhaps this is how neuroleptics help the brain. But the point is, long-term high-dosage neuroleptics is in the same ball park as psychosurgery.

So how about it Dr. Torrey? When are you going to be willing to engage in civil, moderated dialogue with opposing organizations? And do you draw the line at any forced psychiatry, including electroshock or psychosurgery? And what's your board of directors stand on that? How about the Stanley family?

Do you draw the line, Dr. Torrey?