As many as 50% of Seattle’s street people have severe mental illness and do not want to be confined. How do we change the law so that these people are properly housed?
These folks used to be confined to state hospitals with little regard for their civil rights. The came drugs that could manage psychosis so we closed the hospitals. We also strengthened the laws on confinement to protect people’s civil rights.
I think we need to reconsider those laws. Anyone living on the street with a diagnosis that requires anti psychotic drugs should be required to live in a state approved facility able to provide housing and proper care.
What is your solution for the remaining 50%? Assume they have a mental health problem?
No. But when a problem can be defined why not solve it?