Stop Jason Hewlett from being over-drugged!

July 24, 2024 Update.  Jason also wants people to call his team leader, Lisa Florence, at 607-773-4677 to demand they stop harming him by increasing his clozapine dose against his will.

July 18, 20204.  Jason Hewlett is on a 90-day psychiatric incarceration order at Greater Binghamton Health Center in Binghamton, New York. He has been stable on 100 mg clozapine for years, but the hospital psychiatrist, Charles Afful, is quadrupling the dose by raising it by 25 mg every week. If Jason doesn’t accept this, Afful will not give Jason any, forcing him into a cold-turkey withdrawal. Jason feels he has to accept the increase because he has tried to stop the clozapine before and it caused a life-threatening condition.

As of July 15, he is on 175 mg. He is worried that if the dose continues to increase, he will become too lethargic to communicate properly or participate in groups, which will make it more difficult for him to leave the hospital.

Jason wants to help others experiencing psychiatric abuse and has published writings about this issue. You can read two of them online: “Don’t force psychiatric drugs on patients” (a Letter to the Editor in the Oneonta Daily Star) and Corruption at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse (an account of his experiences at one facility).

Annie Singer has posted a video on YouTube and TikTok to engage social media on behalf of Jason.

Call to action: Call Dr. Charles Afful at 607-773-4488 and demand he stop harming Jason by increasing Jason’s clozapine dose against his will.  As of July 24,

Please also contact the following officials to express your concerns about the over-drugging of Jason:

Chris Miller
Executive Director of Greater Binghamton Health Center
607-773-4082

Ann Marie Sullivan
Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health
518-474-4403
ann.sullivan@omh.ny.gov

Additionally, you can fax the hospital at 607-773-4387 using FaxZero.

When choosing your words, remember that Jason is at risk of retaliation and you are supporting him under the MindFreedom banner. MindFreedom International does not condone threats of violence or harm. Our mission statement is:

In a spirit of mutual cooperation, MindFreedom International aims to lead a non-violent revolution of freedom, equality, truth, and human rights in mental health care by uniting psychiatric survivors, consumers, and allies through movements for justice everywhere.

This is the spirit we want to bring to this effort. MindFreedom thanks you for your support of Jason.

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Mindfreedom’s Shield Program exposes human rights violations in mental health and, uniquely, spurs action to try to stop them.  We need your support to be a shield for those facing psychiatric incarceration, forced drugging and forced electroshock.  Please help. Fund freedom in mental health! Support the MindFreedom Shield!