We have a very severe opioid epidemic in the US. Many affected are landing in our backyard.
This occurs for many reasons.
We have services (e.g., needle exchange), soup kitchens, protective laws (e.g., Prop 47), de-criminalized camping, and a more humane police force. (3/x)
Conversation
I am proud of my hometown for treating the homeless with more humanity than most other cities/local govs in the US.
With that said, our current approach is prioritizing individual freedom to the point where hundreds are dying in the streets.
Last year ~300 died of overdoses.
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I believe SF has a moral imperative to care for the addicted.
Every parent I know would compel treatment if they could afford it and their child was at risk of overdose.
Can SF afford it? Are we willing to make difficult decisions to help people avoid early death?
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I keep thinking back to 's book - "Know Your Power".
She writes that she went into politics to fight the HIV/AIDS crisis. In her inauguration speech on Capital Hill she said "I came here to fight HIV".
She fought hard. Research was funded. Much has improved.
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We are in crisis. This is one of addiction.
Local advocates estimate 85% of our homeless population is severely addicted to Fentanyl, Meth, Heroin & Alcohol.
Treatment is not going to be free and SF cannot afford to care for all those who arrive.
We need funding.
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It is my strong belief that we should go fight for funding treatment.
We need CA state funding. Federal funding. Private funding.
We need live/work programs, social workers, doctors...
Not just free needles & tents.
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I am heartbroken (& frankly disgusted) by our city's current approach.
It lacks strategic orientation, vision, goals.
It is a hodgepodge of money flying all over -- not understood, not transparent, not even tracked.
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When led the charge for Prop C (to tax companies to fund homelessness solutions) our Mayor, opposed.
“The City needs to audit the $300+ million we are already spending on homelessness,” Breed said in the statement.“
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Where is the audit?! Where is the transparency?
That $300M is only the homelessness department. It doesn't include Public Health, EMS/Fire, SFPD, street cleaning, non-profit funding...
The real number is likely between $1-2B.
$1-2B could pay for a LOT of treatment...
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I believe that we as citizens need to call on our representatives to go fight for our city & homeless residents.
We need funding for treatment. Just like we needed funding to research HIV/AIDS.
If you have connections to local politicians ask them to fight for us. (12/12)
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Replying to
How would you feel about setting up a national facility/campus to handle these issues in a more cost-efficient location, outside of SF?
Cities could give grants to individuals to join the program rather than each struggling to poorly manage the situation at high, local costs.
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