(01-23-2022, 09:24 AM)Sneakers Wrote:

(01-22-2022, 10:56 PM)mikesez Wrote: I believe what I post.  I don't believe everything on wikipedia, but what I link to, I believe.  I don't read DNC talking points.  Do you? I guess you must, if you know what they say.  It's a coincidence if you see similarities, because I don't read them or watch them.  But so what if I did? Are you saying you would never have a discussion with a DNC member?  Why?

I guess I just don't see as hard of a line between the "chronic" and "situational" homeless as you.  For one thing, when someone has recently become homeless, it's not yet clear which category they fall into. 

I agree with you that percentage of homeless people, everywhere, are there because they did drugs, and continue to do them.  Getting them appropriate and empathetic treatment for whatever they're addicted to is part of the solution, undoubtedly.  But think it through.  Are you going to drug test every homeless person every day? Of course not.  You usually can't make someone take a drug test.  How will you convince them to take one?  Regardless, I do agree with you that addiction has increased and society as a whole needs more and better drug treatment, and governments need to be spending more money in this area, sad as that is.

However both videos posted here focused on the West Coast, where a higher percentage of people are homeless, when compared to the East Coast.  Homelessness on the East Coast is bad.  On the West Coast it's so much worse.  Drugs aren't driving that difference.  Housing affordability and transit affordability are driving it.

If this was true, why wouldn't those who truly desired to not be homeless, simply fold up their tents and migrate to a more affordable area?