The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 18: Health

Chapter 197: Mentally Ill Users of Alcohol or Drugs

• Subchapter 001: CARE AND TREATMENT

• § 8401. Definitions

  As used in this chapter, “drug addict” means a person who shows signs of mental illness because of his or her use of drugs, hallucinogens, stimulants, or sedatives or who has an uncontrollable desire for their use or consumption. (Added 1967, No. 305 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1968; amended 1977, No. 208 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.)

• § 8402. Hospitalization

  Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a drug addict may be admitted to a designated hospital and provided with care and treatment in the same manner and under the same conditions as a mentally ill person. (Added 1967, No. 305 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1968; amended 1977, No. 208 (Adj. Sess.), § 5.)

• § 8403. Length of treatment

  No drug addict may be admitted to a hospital for voluntary treatment for a period in excess of six months. If he or she is admitted by order of the Criminal Division of the Superior Court, the order shall specifically provide for a maximum of six months in the hospital. (Added 1967, No. 305 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1968; amended 1973, No. 52, § 1; 1977, No. 145 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 1977, No. 208 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238.)

• § 8404. Conditional discharge

  The Board of Mental Health, in its discretion, may grant a conditional discharge to a patient admitted under this chapter after the expiration of one month from the date of admission and may revoke any conditional discharge so granted. A revocation of a conditional discharge by the Board of Mental Health at any time prior to the expiration of the original term of hospitalization shall be sufficient warrant for the return of the patient to the hospital from which he or she was discharged, there to remain until a subsequent conditional discharge or the expiration of the full term from the date of the original admission. (Added 1967, No. 305 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1968.)

• § 8405. Outside visits

  In the discretion of the head of a hospital, a patient admitted under this chapter may be permitted to visit a specifically designated place for a period not to exceed five days and return to the same hospital. The visit may be allowed to see a dying relative, to attend the funeral of a relative, to obtain special medical services, to contact prospective employers, or for any compelling reason consistent with the welfare or rehabilitation of the patient. (Added 1967, No. 305 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1968.)

• Subchapter 002: ALCOHOLIC REHABILITATION BOARD

• §§ 8451-8462. Repealed. 1977, No. 208 (Adj. Sess.), § 7.