The revolution spearheaded by psychoactive drugs in the treatment of mental illness was supposed to herald a kinder, more humane approach as compared to the stereotypical insane asylums like England's notorious Bedlam, which were little more than prisons by any other name.  The problem as you well know, is that our society frowns on forcing anyone to submit to treatment, whether involving medication or physical commitment, without clear evidence of an intention to hurt themselves or others.  The sad part is that by the time there is clear evidence, somebody is lying on the ground dead.

I occasionally reflect that even Asa Yamashita's murder should have been anticipated by those who knew her killer well.  But then, they were only fallible human beings who ran into the all too familiar quandary:  "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink."  Until he stabbed and slashed her to death, he hadn't yet "crossed the line" where involuntary confinement was deemed appropriate.