Sir, – The question of introducing chemicals to the water system ("Psychiatrist calls for lithium to be added to water", Home News, December 2nd) cannot be fully discussed without reference to Ryan Case ( Ryan v Attorney General [1965] IR294).
While the constitutional right to bodily integrity established in the case was found not to be infringed upon by the introduction of fluoride to the water system, the legal principle underpinning the judgment remains. Today, judicial opinion in Ireland continues to hold that fluoridisation of water is not unconstitutional. However, I would contend that the introduction of supplementary lithium, which can directly alter brain chemistry, very much constitutes an affront to bodily integrity and would not be upheld by any court in the land.
In no way should this be read as an attack on lithium and its pivotal role in treating certain forms of mania and depression. I have seen its life-changing effects when prescribed to those who need it most; but just because a drug is good does not mean we should be put in our drinking water.
We face a much-discussed but little-resolved mental health and suicide crisis of frightening proportions in this country. While the roots of this problem go infinitely deeper than the current economic crisis, it is clear that rates of depression and suicide have reached epidemic proportions in recent times. Clearly the mental health crisis in this country needs to be tackled and tackled with urgency.
Treat the causes of suicide and depression, not the water! – Yours, etc,