In April, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a major case that could reshape how cities manage homelessness. The legal issue is whether they can fine or arrest people for sleeping outside if there’s no shelter available. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has deemed this cruel and unusual punishment, and this case is a pivotal challenge to that ruling.
The high court declined to take up a similar case in 2019. But since then, homelessness rates have climbed relentlessly. Street encampments have grown larger and have expanded to new places, igniting intense backlash from residents and businesses. Homelessness and the lack of affordable housing that’s helping to drive it have become key issues for many voters.
The case, Grants Pass v. Johnson, could have dramatic implications for the record number of people living in tents and cars across the United States.
I have a basic respect for the environment that everyone should have by default, regardless of their financial status. And I would do everything in my power to keep it reasonably clean if I was in a similar situation.
If the dirt is all I have, then I would find something to grow in it. Not a pile of sharps.
Very easy thing to say when you haven’t been completely crushed under the thumb of the system so badly that you can’t afford to rent a hovel even though you have a job.
How close to that situation have you ever been? Are you anywhere near close to that situation right now? It sounds like you can afford a home to live in whether you own or rent, so I’m guessing you aren’t.
Vacant lots and undersides of bridges are well-known as being excellent spots for growing vegetables and fruits.
As far as them doing drugs? Perfectly justifiable for them to want to do the one thing they’re able to do to either escape the situation they’re in or get pain relief they can’t get otherwise because they can’t afford pain medication or a prescription for it in a for-profit healthcare system either. I sure as fuck would do the same thing in their situation.
Let me guess, you also don’t like it that they shit and piss in public but expect them to provide their own toilets.
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And now you’re just speaking out of ignorance. Drugs can be extremely cheap.
Fentanyl in Washington can be as cheap as 50 cents a pill.
A bag of heroin can be $15-$20.
Again, these people often have jobs. So they can absolutely afford that. Others get disability, but far less than what they pay for rent with.
They have enough for drugs. What they don’t have enough for is homes or medical care.
Picture this scenario: You’re living in a tent. You have a minimum wage job. You suffer from chronic pain. You can’t afford a doctor or prescription pills, but you can get relief from that pain for 50 cents. Are you really saying you’d just live with the agony?
I have no malice towards homeless people, I just wish they kept their area clean. That is all.
Have you ever offered to help them clean it up?
Not yet, I have a roll of contractor bags they can use for their garbage, but I don’t have any means to haul any full bags to the landfill. Gonna need to sort the logistics of that part out.
Sorry… you want the neighborhood cleaned up and your answer is ‘give other people garbage bags?’
I understand what you’re saying, i just want to point out that drug addiction is a healthcare issue, not a personal or moral failing. Is it frustrating to see public areas being trashed? Sure, but it’s way more frustrating that the US federal government won’t address the homeless crisis and drug addiction with the respect, funding, and urgency it deserves.