[v7p1Qbt1im]

No. This reframing of the issue is incredibly reductive. The best thing you can do for homeless people us provide them with housing. Shocking I know.

Once they have housing — no strings attached housing — you need to provide health care (mental/physical). Now they have a chance to get reintegrated into society.

But without permanent housing nothing is going to happen.

Having said this, of course drug problems are extremely prevalent among the homeless population. It‘s rarely ever the root cause of the homelessness though. Maybe they had an accident or illness and were prescribed opioids frivolously and for too long. After they are sandbagged with crippling medical dept they are addicted and can‘t pay for their expenses at the same time.

Also, living on the street in extreme poverty is terrible and bleak. So no wonder one would end up depressed and start using even more opioids to mentally escape.

[s1artibartfast]

We should just build a resort city for them somewhere in the central valley and provide free housing, healthcare, and training opportunities. Anyone who doesn't want to go is left on their own and subject to the same expectations & laws as everyone else.