4 ms·

The problem, and why we will never get these programs, is that no one actually wants to put up the resources to help drug addicts. If you've actually talked to

The problem, and why we will never get these programs, is that no one actually wants to put up the resources to help drug addicts. If you've actually talked to the gen-x population that has control over these cities, you'll find someone that likes to pretend they're an enlightened progressive hippie, that scoffs at southern and middle american conservatives, but is just as selfish and careless. They harbour deep resentment at having to pay so much in taxes, and sabotage any policy that could move resources away from them. This kind of hands-off policy is exactly the kind that the gen-x Hillary loving house wives can trick themselves into feeling good about, while not costing them anything substantial.

nxm 3y ago
It turned out that many addicts simply do not want any help if offered… it’s not a resource issue and lots of money has been spent already.
- zeroCalories 3y ago
  You don't offer help to addicts, you force it. That's the Portugal model.
  - defrost 3y ago
    These seems contrary to first hand local account: I can bring a bit of context. I'm Portuguese, I know the history well. The intervention was centered in the SNS (our national health service), and soft touch. No mandatory treatments, no punitive approach. Fundamentally, we approached addicts. Safe consumption spaces, with free syringes, drug testing kits, and staffed with personnel who got to know the addicts personally. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39498028 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39498028
- pseudocomposer 3y ago
  Because, in America, it’s worse to be sober and poor than to be an addict.
macspoofing 3y ago
>The problem, and why we will never get these programs, is that no one actually wants to put up the resources to help drug addicts. It's not a question of resources but politics. There is a segment of the left that links homelessness to housing policy (as in they don't consider homeless drug addicts as a drug addiction problem, but rather an affordable housing problem) and is also against any forced institutionalization.

nxm 3y ago

It turned out that many addicts simply do not want any help if offered… it’s not a resource issue and lots of money has been spent already.

zeroCalories 3y ago
You don't offer help to addicts, you force it. That's the Portugal model.
- defrost 3y ago
  These seems contrary to first hand local account: I can bring a bit of context. I'm Portuguese, I know the history well. The intervention was centered in the SNS (our national health service), and soft touch. No mandatory treatments, no punitive approach. Fundamentally, we approached addicts. Safe consumption spaces, with free syringes, drug testing kits, and staffed with personnel who got to know the addicts personally. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39498028 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39498028
pseudocomposer 3y ago
Because, in America, it’s worse to be sober and poor than to be an addict.

macspoofing 3y ago

>The problem, and why we will never get these programs, is that no one actually wants to put up the resources to help drug addicts. It's not a question of resources but politics. There is a segment of the left that links homelessness to housing policy (as in they don't consider homeless drug addicts as a drug addiction problem, but rather an affordable housing problem) and is also against any forced institutionalization.