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I applaud Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dempsey Benton's candor and concern for our mentally ill expressed at his recent press conference. Taking more of a hands-on approach with the staff overseeing the mental institutions will be crucial in his quest to better serve our less fortunate. The task that lies before him and the legislature is daunting. I remain cautiously optimistic.

It is refreshing news that John Tote of the N.C. Mental Health Association and Debra Dihoff of National Alliance on Mental Illness-North Carolina will be on two of the committees proposed by Benton. This potential exchanging of ideas and opinions rarely occurred over the past six years. Valuing outside viewpoints will push this process forward positively.

My hope is that Benton is sincere in giving the patients the best possible treatment to live more productive lives. He can show them his revised plan is not tied to budgets and timetables etched in stone by his predecessor.

Once Dorothea Dix Hospital closes, there will be no safety net statewide. These committees might conclude that time should be on the side of the patients and their families for a change, not on the side of politics.

Steve Church
Willow Spring