I'd have to politely disagree. Formerly being one of these "hopeless cases", and now being a productive, healthy member of society, I feel like I have some insi

I'd have to politely disagree. Formerly being one of these "hopeless cases", and now being a productive, healthy member of society, I feel like I have some insight into the matter. Treatment, support and stability help immensely. We do none of that for the must vulnerable members of society. People don't end up like that overnight usually, it takes their mental health being neglected a long time. Often times the trauma starts in childhood. Can you blame them for that? A real issue is ignorance and the resulting lack of compassion. Everyone is insecure about something, but some people make themselves feel better by judging others. The fact of the matter is we are all a few bad strokes of luck away from squabbling in the gutter. Some egos are too fragile to admit that. Some unfortunate people may be unable to live in society, but they are in the minority and you don't know if they will respond to treatment until you try. I am astonished that you put drug dependence in the same category as just plain violent. Mental health issues aren't a moral failing, and treating them as such further ostracizes already marginalized people. Antisocial behavior arises when people feel rejected by society. Instead of blaming individuals from your position of privilege, perhaps you should consider the society and systems that created them. I hope you never find out just how thin the line is.