Staff Reports
In the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass recently celebrated what she considered progress in tackling homelessness. After allocating a substantial $2 billion over the past few years, the city saw a modest 3% decrease in its homeless population. The mayor has been quick to praise these efforts, delighted by a congratulatory text from the governor. Yet, one might wonder, is this cause for celebration, or is it more akin to commending a ship’s crew for patching a tiny leak while the vessel continues to sink?
Experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles is not a new phenomenon, nor are the numerous encampments scattered throughout the city. The strategy employed by the city involves housing people in hotels and motels, a pricey method that seems more like a band-aid than a cure. It begs the question of whether more cost-effective and sustainable solutions might be waiting in the wings, somewhere outside of the current liberal playbook. Simply put, Mayor Bass is celebrating a crisis management strategy that addresses motions rather than solutions.
Enter Dr. Drew Pinsky, who commented on this so-called achievement, pointing out the flaws in the approach. Moving individuals from place to place without addressing the root causes of their predicament is akin to reorganizing deck chairs on the Titanic. Housing the chronically mentally ill or those battling addiction in temporary shelters without proper medical care is not a viable long-term plan. It’s like expecting a personal trainer to conduct complex surgery; it’s simply beyond their capacity.
The streets of Los Angeles tell a tale of complex, untreated mental illnesses compounded by hard drug use. There’s a myriad of substances at play—methamphetamine, fentanyl, and more. Dr. Pinsky highlighted the surge in severe psychiatric issues exacerbated by sky-high cannabis concentrations in the state. However, blaming one substance ignores the cocktail of drugs these individuals often consume. Various studies highlight connections between drug use and mental health, drawing a picture of a vicious cycle rather than a straightforward problem.
At the end of the day, throwing money at temporary solutions doesn’t address the pressing need for proper psychiatric and addiction medical services. It’s a tragedy unfolding on the sidewalks in broad daylight. Those advocating for facilities without a plan for comprehensive support are akin to offering a lifeboat with a hole in it. The soundbite solutions echo louder than the silence that follows when the temporary fixes inevitably fail. Los Angeles deserves better, but until holistic strategies replace half-measures, true progress will remain elusive.
