m II wrote:

Mark S. Holden wrote:

David wrote:

Most of them are Vietnam vets that Reagan put out on the street.



Actually, a huge percentage of them are people who used to be (or should be) in mental health facilities.

The problem is in the name of compassion, laws were passed to give people who really aren't capable of making rational decisions the right to sign themselves out and live on the street.

There are exceptions - especially if there are clear signs the person is a danger to themselves or the community, but apparently living on the street is looked at as a lifestyle choice.


There seems to be a problem here with the way the police treat
schizophrenics on the street. A lot of education is in order.
Many of those homeless are ill and wind up getting jailed or shot.

http://members.fortunecity.com/bruta...ada/names.html
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This study claims that between 30 to 35 percent of homeless are mentally
ill.

http://www.schizophrenia.ca/call2act.pdf
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mike

I realize it's a delicate problem, but really, the people who changed the laws in the name of patients rights did them a disservice.

The stigma of mental illness is certainly a problem, and some of that can be handled with education, but if the mind is playing tricks on someone, they can become a danger to others, and the police may need to take action.