Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Isn't That What Prisons Are For?

Two-thirds of American states cut mental health funding over the past two years.  Reuters reports that the US National Alliance on Mental Health has produced some pretty disturbing numbers and, naturally, the Red (meat) states are ahead of the pack.  The top four places went to Kentucky with 47 percent, Alaska with 35 percent, and South Carolina and Arizona both with 23 percent.    Arizona?  As in Jared Loughner and Gabrielle Giffords along with 12 other wounded and six dead Arizona?

"Cutting mental health means that costs only get shifted to emergency rooms, schools, police, local courts, jails and prisons,"   said NAMI executive director Michael Fitzpatrick. "  The taxpayer still pays the bill."

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