Reply #182: I'm so sorry. I'm in SB also. Because of my work on a County commission I know abt "dual diagnosis"

[Hekate]

For those who don't know (and I'm sure that eagertolearn does know about this) "dual diagnosis" homeless are the mentally ill who are also alcoholics or addicts. This is thought to be because they are trying to self-medicate.

Our current broken non-system is inhumane and stupid. Throughout the cities of California the de-facto mental health hospitals are the jails, because when mentally ill people break the law (such as by sleeping in the streets, or ranting at passersby), that's where they end up.

Universal health care that provides medications for those who need them would be a huge step forward.

In all fairness to our town though, at least with our weather the homeless have a chance to survive the winter, which is not likely in the Arctic Circle. ;-) But your point about communities caring for their own is well-taken -- I for one don't want to hear about mental hospitals of the past being "snake pits." This is now, and this situation is the pits.

Welcome to DU, eagertolearn. Thank you for courageously sharing your story with us.

Hekate