The mentally ill and those addicted to drugs should not be treated as criminals.

That is the gist of legislation pending in the South Carolina General Assembly. Among the several bills now being considered is one that would allow police officers who apprehend people who appear to be mentally ill or drug dependent to be taken to mental health facilities rather than to a jail.

This is enlightened legislation that should get General Assembly approval. Gone, we hope, are the days when it was deemed a crime to be mentally ill or to be plagued by a drug addiction. These people need help, not to be placed in cells with criminals who are sometimes violent.

The proposed legislation would have police, hospitals, courts and mental health facilities work in concert to help those who need help rather than locking them in criminal detention facilities. Police would have discretion to transport some to these facilities even if they are accused of a victimless crime such as vagrancy.

It is exciting to see our Legislature take a common-sense approach to a misunderstood segment of our population. These people are in need of help, not a ride through the criminal justice system.