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Old 09-11-2016, 09:08 PM
 
261 posts, read 220,657 times
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So, I am back in town and staying downtown. I just went out for a walk in this nice evening and saw on 5th Ave this young women, with headphones on and dancing, shouting and screaming..... and many passerby's, who are wearing seakhawks merchandises BTW, just laughed or were worried!


Coming from the UK, we don't really see this stuff and is disturbing. Sure we do have homelessness but not to the extent as I keep seeing around here.


What's going on? Do these people not take meds or see the docs or what?


I don't mean for this to come out in a bad way its just...disturbing/distressing. That's all.


Oh, and then of course at around 5:30pm, I see some women who seem to be stoned or drunk already... is this normal for this time of day? Or was it because of the hawks game?


Just trying to understand!
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Old 09-11-2016, 09:36 PM
 
5,075 posts, read 11,010,034 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lostsoul2015 View Post
Coming from the UK, we don't really see this stuff and is disturbing. Sure we do have homelessness but not to the extent as I keep seeing around here.


What's going on? Do these people not take meds or see the docs or what?


I don't mean for this to come out in a bad way its just...disturbing/distressing. That's all.

Washington State law is most lenient in requiring people with severe mental health and drug problems to comply with care, hence there are a lot of people drawn to the area to avoid forced care. Involuntary commitment is almost non-existent, and it's very short in duration even when it is mandated by a court or medical professional.

Washington is also 48th in the nation in providing access to care, we're among the worst states when it comes to availability of mental health resources.

So no, people don't take meds and they don't see docs, nor are there many doctors TO see if someone wants help. It's a disaster area as far as that is concerned.
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Old 09-11-2016, 09:41 PM
 
261 posts, read 220,657 times
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That really is sad to hear. Why though? Given that this is a very expensive place to live and a tech industrial area...you would think better, no?
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Old 09-11-2016, 10:19 PM
 
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,107 posts, read 80,205,776 times
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It's not a matter of money, it's the "leave them alone" attitude that results in the many homeless, drugged out people, and mentally ill wandering about. Even if they have prescriptions and money, some people won't take their mess and no one can make them. Remember that this state passed a law making marijuana legal. I spend a lot of time in the areas where this is going on, and it's sad to hear the comments and surprise that all the tourists are talking about.
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Old 09-11-2016, 10:21 PM
 
261 posts, read 220,657 times
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it is a shame. I guess the reasons tourists talk about this more is because it doesn't happen as much "back home".
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Old 09-11-2016, 10:56 PM
 
5,075 posts, read 11,010,034 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lostsoul2015 View Post
it is a shame. I guess the reasons tourists talk about this more is because it doesn't happen as much "back home".
Yes, my friends from out of the area have a hard time understanding what is going on here. It's definitely strange that this area is so far below average in handing these problems given how educated and prosperous it is.

A rough comparison would be the southern states that did a poor job of funding education to the point where it became a major determining factor in the residents quality of life. That is how mental health care and drug abuse are in Washington. Bottom of the barrel, worst in the US.
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Old 09-11-2016, 11:12 PM
 
Location: Portal to the Pacific
8,736 posts, read 8,615,407 times
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And you've got more on the street than those struggling independently with addictions and mental health issues. I was just doing research this evening to understand the availability of area resources my autistic teenager will have as a young adult and was very dismayed to discover that WA ranks in the bottom 20% for supporting individuals with disabilities. Especially those like my son whom are on the spectrum, many autistic individuals' idiosyncratic behaviors can mimic mental health issues. Well, hell.. comorbidity of autism and mental health conditions is pretty darn high... who's not to say that many you assume to be mentally ill aren't simply autistic?

We might have to rethink this Seattle retirement dream if we intend to have our son in a safe and accommodating environment.
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Old 09-11-2016, 11:33 PM
 
1,500 posts, read 1,759,043 times
Reputation: 2033
There is lack of funding and a high proportion of mentally ill individuals in the region. This is the result of those governmental decisions. The city makes the bed they sleep in.
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Old 09-12-2016, 12:03 AM
 
21,988 posts, read 15,614,184 times
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It is not being ignored.

"One of the points made last week is that homelessness is being fought by more than 300 programs in this area, run by more than 100 organizations. It’s great that there is so much concern and effort to help people who are homeless or on the verge of it, but having so many different players who have different rules and methods makes coordination difficult."

New approach to homelessness is complex, but worth the effort | The Seattle Times
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Old 09-12-2016, 12:20 AM
 
5,075 posts, read 11,010,034 times
Reputation: 4664
Quote:
Originally Posted by flyingsaucermom View Post

We might have to rethink this Seattle retirement dream if we intend to have our son in a safe and accommodating environment.
You're saying that the current Seattle City Council plan of providing porta potties, dumpsters and 30 days of outreach before clearing a tent camp is not what you'd consider 'safe and accommodating'?

What more can you expect? If your child grows up to be an adult at 18 and wants to live in a greenbelt that is their decision to make. Seattle is fully supportive of that decision.
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