Many of those who are homeless, in jail, etc. have some sort of underlying mental illness for which they are self medicating with drugs and alcohol. Years ago t

Many of those who are homeless, in jail, etc. have some sort of underlying mental illness for which they are self medicating with drugs and alcohol. Years ago these people were in hospitals but with the use of new medications and changes in policy they were able to live in some sort of assisted living facilities. These facilities would assist with medication and other support. Yet, when the hospitals were closed, the promised assisted living facilities by and large never materialized. The self-medicating mentally ill end up in jail as they sell drugs to sustain their drug habit.