LETTER:Information needed on drug use in psychiatry

From Mr Richard John Oliver

Sir: I have had a diagnosis of schizophrenia since 1985. I have been taking neuroleptic (anti-psychotic) drugs for the past 10 years - both orally and intravenously.

I believe I have a right to make an informed choice, not to be told that because of my illness I have neither the insight nor the awareness to make this kind of decision.

I have been told that I will have to take medication for the rest of my life, but the decision whether or not to take medication is ongoing for me - not something I will decide on a whim. On behalf of anyone taking these drugs I implore that more information about what the drugs are, how they work and what side-effects there may be - both short-term and long-term - be made widely available. This is currently not the case.

Yours faithfully,

RICHARD JOHN OLIVER

Recruitment Worker

Schizophrenia Media Agency

Manchester