Drugs were turning our lad into a zombie

[1984]

A DAD has spoken of his anguish after his wife fled to Spain with their son to get him off medication which he says is turning him into a zombie.

Police are hunting for Christine MacVicar, 69, and her 50-year-old son Andrew, who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome.

Andrew’s father – retired college lecturer Stuart, 70 – insists that going on the run was the only was to keep his son off the drugs he is forced to take.

Stuart, of Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, said: “The police have been round saying I can be charged, but I honestly don’t know where they are.

“I speak to them on the phone and internet but my wife has deliberately not given me their address so I am not breaking the law.

“We had to take these drastic measures to ensure Andrew did not turn into a zombie.”

Stuart, who stayed in Scotland to look after his ill brother, added: “I have no idea if they will ever come back as Andrew is receiving great medical care in Spain and is happier than he has been in a long time.”

Christine and Andrew, who lives in supported accommodation in Paisley, went on the run last month.

Andrew was taken into care two years ago after being diagnosed with schizophrenia and was forced to take a course of medication under a compulsory treatment order.

Stuart says the cocktail of drugs robbed his son of his personality.

He said: “We have watched as our bright and independent son changed into another person before our very eyes. It was getting to the stage where he was no longer living, he was just existing.

“We were worried about him taking his own life.”

Fiona Sinclair, of Autism Rights, said: “It’s so terrible that the MacVicar family has been driven to these lengths.

“Unfortunately, they are not alone.

“I know of at least 15 families, whose sons with autism are trapped within the mental health system and are being given inappropriate treatment.”

MORE than 4000 Scots are subjected to Compulsory Treatment Orders every year, which force them to be given medication against their will.

The orders are decided upon by a health tribunal following an application by a mental health officer and backed by doctors’ reports. The orders can also force a patient to stay in hospital.

They are usually set for six months and can be renewed for another six, then 12 months thereafter.