I fully agree that this is a genuinely difficult, multi-factor problem with no easy answers. I also think that there are a lot of 'low-hanging fruit' level of

I fully agree that this is a genuinely difficult, multi-factor problem with no easy answers. I also think that there are a lot of 'low-hanging fruit' level of options available, that seem to be disregarded in today's all-or-nothing environment. Specific example: During my short, ~10-block drive to the 101, I pass a good half-dozen regulars who are either screaming at the aether, wandering erratically through traffic, flinging things at passing people/cars, or in one case literally rolling around on the onramp between cars. This is not an exaggeration, or hyperbole. These people need to be in an institution. Maybe with treatment, they can recover. Maybe they will be there for the rest of their lives. Maybe some form of halfway-house works best. But I can't think of any good-faith argument that leads to the status quo being the best choice for either them or society at large. Surely we can come to a societal agreement about what to do for this level of dysfunction?