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#FreeBritney was a mistake — and exposes society’s failures in dealing with mental health

Britney Spears was arrested late Wednesday near her Los Angeles home for allegedly driving under the influence — yet another unsettling chapter in the story of one of America’s most famous and tragic celebrities.

And the pop princess’ predicament echoes a debate unfolding on the streets of America’s largest cities.

In New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and elsewhere, policymakers have spent years grappling with a growing population of homeless individuals who suffer from severe mental illness or addiction.

Many progressives in these deep-blue enclaves are committed to policies that put such individuals’ choices above all else: Forcing someone into treatment or mandating a shelter stay is framed as an unacceptable violation of personal autonomy.

The humane response, leftists argue, is to respect these people’s freedom — even if that freedom means sleeping on a sidewalk, declining medication or refusing help.

Conservatorship expert weighs in after Britney Spears DUI: what’s next?

Britney Spears’ Iranian American ex-husband Sam Asghari says Trump should intervene in Iran

Melissa Joan Hart was left crying after movie premiere with Britney Spears: ‘I didn’t have big enough boobs’

But others wonder: Is it compassion to leave people alone if that is what they want, even when they’re........

© New York Post