> This should get mandated with fines for the city itself if it doesn't help the people who can't help themselves because the system's been designed to prevent them from getting help.
The problem is that "help" means different things to different people.
For years, the general view was that addicts in Canada got help via safe injection sites, first responders trained in administering naxolone, free housing available, and no real consequences for petty crime. Keeping them out of jail and making sure they had housing and clean drugs was seen as helping them.
It's only been in the past ~2 years, now that it's spiraled out of control during COVID, that some are redefining "help" to mean forced rehabilitation and/or institutionalization and keeping them off the streets if they commit crime. But there's no consensus on this.
The problem is that "help" means different things to different people.
For years, the general view was that addicts in Canada got help via safe injection sites, first responders trained in administering naxolone, free housing available, and no real consequences for petty crime. Keeping them out of jail and making sure they had housing and clean drugs was seen as helping them.
It's only been in the past ~2 years, now that it's spiraled out of control during COVID, that some are redefining "help" to mean forced rehabilitation and/or institutionalization and keeping them off the streets if they commit crime. But there's no consensus on this.