THE LATEST: AN AZCIR FOUR-PART SERIES ABOUT ARIZONA’S CHRONICALLY MENTALLY ILL
A place that should know better
Arnold v. Sarn, a class action lawsuit that called for services for people with serious mental illness regardless of cost, celebrates its fortieth birthday this year. The litigation ended in 2014 with a settlement agreement that largely replaced “shall” with “may,” encouraging the system to try its best while softening requirements, and permanently doing away with a court monitor—the last remnant of robust accountability that had been in place for decades. Now Charles “Chick” Arnold, the lead plaintiff, says the agreement should have been more aggressive.
MORE FROM THE SERIES
Schizophrenia upends life of accomplished academic
John Creamer, an accomplished academic, initially resisted his schizophrenia diagnosis after a psychotic episode altered his life and career.
Forty years later, legacy of Arnold v. Sarn lives on
With the goal of helping the very sickest people with mental illness, Josh Mozell has taken on Chick Arnold’s caseload – and his cause.
Patients file grievances, experts want reforms at Arizona State Hospital
Advocates for people with serious mental illness call for reforms at the Arizona State Hospital, and more beds.
Unsafe housing jeopardizes success of community living for chronically mentally ill
Some of the sickest people in Arizona live in some of the worst places, like unlicensed boarding homes considered by many to be a thing of the past.
Support AZCIR
Help AZCIR do more to keep you informed.
EDUCATION
Public information lacking as COVID-19 surges in Arizona classrooms
School districts are required to report COVID-19 infections to county health officials, who in turn must submit data to the state. But the information is seldom relayed back to parents—or the public at large—in a clear and thorough way, an AZCIR analysis has found.
Health
Arizona leads nation in Valley fever infections—a “disease of color”
Evidence points to Valley fever as a growing problem in Arizona, yet little is known about who is most impacted by a pathogen that now sickens more people here than in any other state. Research shows the most serious form of the illness disproportionately impacts people of color, and likely those who work outdoors, but…
Elections
State, county policies impact rejected ballot rates in November election
Election officials didn’t count 27,327 ballots cast by Arizona voters in the November election, rejecting more than twice the 10,457 votes that flipped the state for President-elect Joe Biden in what was the closest raw vote margin of any state in the nation. The uncounted votes, which are legally rejected by officials for reasons such…
Coronavirus
Arizona doctors wary of controversial ivermectin treatment for COVID-19
Experts say absent credible studies, ivermectin is an unproven treatment for COVID-19 and can cause dangerous side effects. The drug is approved by the FDA as an antiparasitic for humans and animals. Now one group is urging Gov. Doug Ducey to make ivermectin immediately available to populations at high risk for COVID-19.
Sign up. Get engaged.
Get AZCIR’s latest investigations and updates delivered straight into your inbox.
ENVIRONMENT
Law enforcement
Few Joe Arpaio immigrant victims claim unlawful detention compensation
Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio defied a federal court order by allowing his deputies to nab scores of immigrants. President Donald Trump pardoned him. Now the immigrant victims are eligible for compensation. But where are they?
