when someone is posing a danger to themselves or others they can be sectioned. This woman was overdosing and cutting herself, albeit not severely. My impression is that the difficulties in getting her sectioned would have been the logistics of getting the appropriate MH professionals out, rather than having the grounds for it. As for it being a threat... what would you call it? A promise of a yummy treat? How would YOU suggest ambulance staff get people like this into hospital?