4 ms·

The problem is that we decriminalized drug use. We have a heavily funded homeless system now and it works great but there is one little itsy bitsy problem... dr

The problem is that we decriminalized drug use. We have a heavily funded homeless system now and it works great but there is one little itsy bitsy problem... drug users and mental health folk. Rather than change the criminalization model, decriminalized drugs makes it more accessible than ever. Makes it so much harder to treat. What should happen is that we change our criminalization model to come health and safety first. Treat the crime almost as a juvenile offense, keep it as a different record non-impactful. The lack of broadening our criminalization system is the problem. For those with mental health you obviously can not criminalize this. You would want to move toward a home where people live and manage together. Standard and normal homeless would then get exactly what is needed. Treating every problem as if it was the same is how we wound up with so many people on the streets. Every problem needs a human solution and not a one fits all category.

warent 3y ago
For those with mental health you obviously can not decriminalize this The exact opposite is true. It must be decriminalized for those with mental health issues. Criminalization of drug use was never about crime or drugs. It is to install a pipeline for people in poverty to be directed into a for-profit prison system in which they are used as legal slave labor under the 13th amendment. Drug use is not ever a criminal issue. It is a health issue full stop.
- km3r 3y ago
  It is a health issue. But it clearly puts you in a state of mind where many people are unwilling to get help. Criminalizing drug trade (and to a far lesser extent, use), allows the government to get people the help they need. Yes we need more medical and addiction care focused prisons, but for now, the streets aren't working.
  - Sparkyte 3y ago
    I completely agree.
- Sparkyte 3y ago
  Sorry about that my autocomplete... thanks autocomplete... took criminalize spelt wrong into decriminalize. Mental health is a serious thing I am not sure where you got the aspect of criminalize from the whole paragraph though my type-o should've been visible. Mental health homeless often need people around them to help them get their life in order. Drug use is a criminal issue. It is like be an accessory to a crime. You are not criminalizing their homelessness which should never be criminalized. You are criminalizing substance use, you can arrest someone for being drunk and disorderly on the streets. You can't touch a meth head. The problem with addiction is that often it drives people to lower their inhibitions and do things that which in their right state of mind not do. But here is the thing you are all caught up looking at CRIMINALIZE! like how we treat all criminals. I'm saying that umbrella needs to be bigger and welcome different approaches to criminalization as opposed to throwing everyone and anyone into a jail cell. Specialized help is needed and when it is optional it is more expensive on tax payers.

warent 3y ago

For those with mental health you obviously can not decriminalize this The exact opposite is true. It must be decriminalized for those with mental health issues. Criminalization of drug use was never about crime or drugs. It is to install a pipeline for people in poverty to be directed into a for-profit prison system in which they are used as legal slave labor under the 13th amendment. Drug use is not ever a criminal issue. It is a health issue full stop.

km3r 3y ago
It is a health issue. But it clearly puts you in a state of mind where many people are unwilling to get help. Criminalizing drug trade (and to a far lesser extent, use), allows the government to get people the help they need. Yes we need more medical and addiction care focused prisons, but for now, the streets aren't working.
- Sparkyte 3y ago
  I completely agree.
Sparkyte 3y ago
Sorry about that my autocomplete... thanks autocomplete... took criminalize spelt wrong into decriminalize. Mental health is a serious thing I am not sure where you got the aspect of criminalize from the whole paragraph though my type-o should've been visible. Mental health homeless often need people around them to help them get their life in order. Drug use is a criminal issue. It is like be an accessory to a crime. You are not criminalizing their homelessness which should never be criminalized. You are criminalizing substance use, you can arrest someone for being drunk and disorderly on the streets. You can't touch a meth head. The problem with addiction is that often it drives people to lower their inhibitions and do things that which in their right state of mind not do. But here is the thing you are all caught up looking at CRIMINALIZE! like how we treat all criminals. I'm saying that umbrella needs to be bigger and welcome different approaches to criminalization as opposed to throwing everyone and anyone into a jail cell. Specialized help is needed and when it is optional it is more expensive on tax payers.