ACLU closed down all the mental institutions, that didn’t help either
Sanatoriums to be exact. That's where they use to take crazies on the streets where they got a roof over their head, meals, and medical treatment. It denigrated into little filthy hell holes. This where Geraldo Rivera made his mark in journalism. He went into one of these human sewers and exposed the abuse and cruelty that went on their. The movie, and Rivera's scoop brought attention to something that nobody thought about or was aware of. The ACLU got involved, and with momentum behind them got them all shut down.
This is a perfect case of throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Closing them down was a huge mistake. Reforming them is what should have been done. What was done is akin to closing down all restaurants because they run them under dirty and unsanitary conditions. Regulations and inspections were put in place to make sure all eateries were safe for everyone. The same should have been done with Sanitariums. Reform and regulations. But now there's no where to put these people so there they are. All out on the streets.
