Take Your Medicine, Son

PHOENIX (AP) — Lawyers for the suspect in the Tucson shooting rampage say prison officials have resumed forcibly medicating their client with a psychotropic drug.

Jared Lee Loughner's attorneys in filings Thursday questioned whether the forced medication violates an earlier order by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that forbid them from involuntarily medicating Loughner as the court mulls an appeal on his behalf.

The filings say officials at the federal prison facility in Missouri resumed the forced medication on an emergency basis because Loughner had become an immediate threat to himself.

This is a slippery slope, and should not be taken lightly.  The right to refuse medication is an important right that we all hold precious.  It gives us control over our bodies, as well as protection to choose our treatment.  At what point do we declare someone so far gone that we should make that choice for them?  In Loughner's case it does make sense.  What is scary is the idea that it could be forced on others in lieu of real treatment.  I agree he should be treated even if it is against his will due to the scope and nature of his issues, but I am glad to see that it didn't come easy.  That's how it should be.