advice

Hello.  I'm at a loose end. I have a cousin who i believe occassionally has cannabis. He is a n only child and suffers from schizophrenia. I have taken him to a doctor who has given him medication. He does not take the medication. He believes he does not have a problem. He hears voices and feels people are talking about him constantly. It has got to a stage where he disappears from home for 2-5 days at a time with out letting anyone knew where he is. As you can imagine this is very worrying. He does not attend doctors appointments. We cannot force him ot do anything and has once become violent.
Please help   we dont know what to do next!!!

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You are caught in the same trap so many others suffer from...you can't force him until he commits a violent act, and when that happens, you have to call the police and follow through until he is forced by the law to take his medication.  The only other way is to keep on top of him in everyway possible, encouraging him to take his medication.  It is a true tragedy, but there just is not much you can do except gentle but clear pressure.