Comic Strips

I have bit of a nuanced take on the subject (ie: I'm going to get downvoted into oblivion.)

So here goes. To me Homelessness isn't the problem. Rampant drug addiction and mental illness are. For the mental illness part, we need comprehensive and affordable mental health care for everyone. That's not going to happen in my lifetime though.

The drug addiction however...

Places like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver (where I'm from) have followed the decriminalization theory of drug rehabilitation. This posits that by providing clean drug paraphernalia and safe places to use drugs, will help people to overcome addiction. But the current state of these cities prove that this theory is false. In order to make someone change, they have to want to change. When you make drug use easier, there is less incentive for that person to want to get clean. Homelessness and the accompanying problems are to most of them just the "cost of doing business."

Their lives should be made more difficult as to incentivize them to want to change their ways. Of course there should be certain exceptions, such as when it's too hot or cold out. But we have to somehow give them a reason to change their ways.

At least where I live there are systems in place to help you get off the street. I would know as I was homeless for a year living on the street. But when COVID hit, I finally had enough and decided to get help. I went to a shelter, got signed up for disability and through BC housing I got myself a room in a shared complex. I'm proof that when you really try, there is help out there for you to make your life better.

Now bring on the downvotes.

Pretending like people who have issues with homeless people camping just hate the idea of seeing poor people in the presence is a massive straw man.

A lot of homeless who choose to camp in heavily urban areas are deeply disturbed, and almost proudly violate every rule of society.

Already in the works:“Safer Kentucky Act"

I've seen this comment before and I hate it. The second that NON WHITE homeless dude talked back to the white cop he'd have a face full of curb and probably be on his way to jail if not death. What kind of ridiculously naive person drew this?