The Swiftian proposal of an alliance between volunteers and empowered police isn’t going to get us anywhere new. And it’s a little bizarre.
Let us stop using the word …
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The Swiftian proposal of an alliance between volunteers and empowered police isn’t going to get us anywhere new. And it’s a little bizarre.
Let us stop using the word homeless to describe fellow community members caught in this situation. People without homes are still human. Categorizing and labeling misses the most crucial issue here: people are living on the streets and in the woods and often lack warm clothing and shoes without holes. In Quilcene, people even lack access to public bathrooms, showers or a community kitchen that could provide hot meals to those lacking power. And many of these people are seniors, veterans, or folks with mental or physical challenges.
Google Finland. They have implemented a novel approach. They found that providing shelter and treatment successfully addresses drug addiction, whereas criminalization does not. People were given housing even if they were struggling with addiction. This practical and compassionate approach dramatically reduced Finland’s unhoused population. Kicking a drug addiction while living on the street with scant support takes a superhuman effort, even by those who are relatively healthy and many people living without homes are not. Simply arresting people will not solve this issue. Many people become addicted to drugs after they lose their home. Providing small rooms that have hot plates, mini fridges and shared bathrooms while in addiction treatment gave people the support needed to get back on their feet. It also is saving Finland loads of money. If I was in that situation, I could very well resort to drugs that are comforting, cheap, ubiquitous and incredibly corrosive. Ms. Kelbon, think for a moment… how you would survive? When winter shelters are full, where would you and your pets sleep? Where would you eat and shower?
It’s worth a thought whilst snug in your home. Housing First!
Michelle Oliver
Port Townsend