4 ms·

>The homeless issue in the US is much more of a drug addiction and alcoholism problem than a down on one's luck problem. This is more like a convenient truth.

>The homeless issue in the US is much more of a drug addiction and alcoholism problem than a down on one's luck problem. This is more like a convenient truth. How many of those people become homeless, then turn drugs? It's not like the US's social safety net is particularly robust, and even just being on the street for a week can expose you to the violent way the homeless are treated.

WalterBright 5y ago
Drug addiction leads to homelessness, as the addict's priority is always getting the drugs. Things like jobs, friends, family, sense, are all sacrificed for the drugs. Everything is sacrificed, and so they wind up on the street. Treating a homeless drug addict as a victim of poverty is like giving cough medicine to a person with lung cancer. It does not work.
- nemothekid 5y ago
  That is a very simplistic view of addiction; High functioning addiction is the norm - Purdue made billions creating them. I'm sure - at your workplace in a major city like SF or NY you have worked with people addicted to Benzos, Cocaine, or Alcohol. Most of them will tell you they can "quit any time" (they can't), but are still capable of taking a shower and showing up to work. >Treating a homeless drug addict as a victim of poverty is like giving cough medicine to a person with lung cancer. It does not work. How do you rehab someone who does not have stable shelter? Are they supposed to battle withdrawal on the street? Housing first policies have demonstrably worked in Finland and Austria.
  - WalterBright 5y ago
    > How do you rehab someone who does not have stable shelter? Put them in a drug rehab facility. It's still not an economic problem, it's a drug addiction problem.
    - DarylZero 5y ago
      "Housing first policies have demonstrably worked in Finland and Austria."
    - southerntofu 5y ago
      > Put them in a drug rehab facility. Sure why not, but what after that? If you think helping them overcome addiction then throwing them back out on the streets is gonna have any positive effects, i can say with 99% confidence you haven't spent more than a day being homeless.
      - WalterBright 5y ago
        Once they're dried out, they'll be able to get a job. Jobs are currently going begging. The homeless who aren't addicts or alcoholics tend to do well with programs to help them back on their feet. The former, nope.
        scollet 5y ago
        This isn't a video game or a d&d session.
    - nemothekid 5y ago
      >Put them in a drug rehab facility. So give them housing? Please analyze what you are saying. What is a drug rehab facility if not housing with nurses on staff? What I'm asking you to consider is that housing first policies are cheaper to scale and have shown to work. If people's basic needs are met with safety and dignity they are less likely to run away to drugs and alcohol.

WalterBright 5y ago

Drug addiction leads to homelessness, as the addict's priority is always getting the drugs. Things like jobs, friends, family, sense, are all sacrificed for the drugs. Everything is sacrificed, and so they wind up on the street. Treating a homeless drug addict as a victim of poverty is like giving cough medicine to a person with lung cancer. It does not work.

nemothekid 5y ago
That is a very simplistic view of addiction; High functioning addiction is the norm - Purdue made billions creating them. I'm sure - at your workplace in a major city like SF or NY you have worked with people addicted to Benzos, Cocaine, or Alcohol. Most of them will tell you they can "quit any time" (they can't), but are still capable of taking a shower and showing up to work. >Treating a homeless drug addict as a victim of poverty is like giving cough medicine to a person with lung cancer. It does not work. How do you rehab someone who does not have stable shelter? Are they supposed to battle withdrawal on the street? Housing first policies have demonstrably worked in Finland and Austria.
- WalterBright 5y ago
  > How do you rehab someone who does not have stable shelter? Put them in a drug rehab facility. It's still not an economic problem, it's a drug addiction problem.
  - DarylZero 5y ago
    "Housing first policies have demonstrably worked in Finland and Austria."
  - southerntofu 5y ago
    > Put them in a drug rehab facility. Sure why not, but what after that? If you think helping them overcome addiction then throwing them back out on the streets is gonna have any positive effects, i can say with 99% confidence you haven't spent more than a day being homeless.
    - WalterBright 5y ago
      Once they're dried out, they'll be able to get a job. Jobs are currently going begging. The homeless who aren't addicts or alcoholics tend to do well with programs to help them back on their feet. The former, nope.
      - scollet 5y ago
        This isn't a video game or a d&d session.
  - nemothekid 5y ago
    >Put them in a drug rehab facility. So give them housing? Please analyze what you are saying. What is a drug rehab facility if not housing with nurses on staff? What I'm asking you to consider is that housing first policies are cheaper to scale and have shown to work. If people's basic needs are met with safety and dignity they are less likely to run away to drugs and alcohol.