Recent changes in Tennessee state law (Title 33) which govern the conditions under which someone can be placed in a regional mental health institute serve serve to create the conditions necessary to basically "criminalize" mental illness. The state is only responsible for providing mental health services for individuals sick enough to need commitment only if "suitable accomadations" are availible. This means that needy individuals will face the likelihood, particularly as beds are decreased, of being held in jails or emerngency rooms under police guard until placement is availible. We have seen how this works in North Carolina which recently had a case of someone handcuffed to an ER bed for 8 days under 24 hr police watch. We object and strongly protest this police. It means that for some people mental illness will indeed become a criminal offense resulting in them being held in situations grossly inappropriate to their needs. It also puts undo financial and manpower burdens on hospitals and law enforcement agencies not equipped to deal with them. It is a bad, bad choice. Its effects will be felt on numerous levels, and most importantly, it is wrong. Repeal this law and create a law that serves the people of this state fairly and effectively.