LEGAL ISSUES IN THE ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DUALDIAGNOSES

The difficult legal, ethical, and professional issues confronting psyc hologists who work with people with dual diagnoses are discussed here. Applicable constitutional principles are outlined in the context of d iscussing the right to institutional services and to refuse treatment, statutes that go beyond constitutional protections are described, iss ues that people with dual diagnoses face in the criminal and civil jus tice systems are highlighted, and some recommendations that psychologi sts should consider when providing services to this population are off ered.