CBS Evening News for
Wednesday, Dec 22, 1976

(Studio) 3 doctors and 5 other employees of Camarillo State Mental Hospital indicted by Ventura Cnty., California, grand jury in connection with 2 deaths of hospital patients. Have been reports of suspicious deaths in past several years throughout state mental hospital system.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

(Los Angeles, California) (Scenes from documentary "Hurry Tomorrow" shown.) Incidents at Metropolitan Hospital noted. [California state health department spokesperson Dr. William KEATING - describes conditions of work in Metropolitan; says it's understandable how bad things could happen.] Investigations into deaths noted; 1 is case of John Edward Mulick. [Mulick's mother Mrs. Mildred SCHREIBER - says she talked to him twice in hospital and he wanted to come home.] [Stepfather Ernest SCHREIBER says Mulick said he was being given too much medicine.] Use of drugs in hospitals noted. Dr. Alexander Buehler is psychiatrist who prescribed drug for Mulick. [BUEHLER - says 1st he was criticized for not giving enough drugs, then for giving too much; notes collapse he suffered in September Says he's not normal.] Many employees say budget cuts by Ronald Reagan as governor severely limited staffs. Present Governor Jerry Brown is said by critics to oppose mental health programs; after scandal, Brown ordered personnel shake-up at hospitals and provided more money for personnel, which he had opposed 3 mos. ago. [BROWN - cites reasons for opposition.]
REPORTER: Murray Fromson