- 19 Sep 2022 02:21
#15247514
California is supposedly the most progressive and "compassionate" state in the nation. But the homeless problems have been so bad there that now the state has just passed a new law. The governor, Newsom, has felt pressure to show the voters he is "doing something", in preparation for his expected Presidential bid.
The law will allow homeless persons with mental health or drug issues to be subject to probation-like restrictions and requirements, with the threat of imprisonment into prison-like treatment centers. For example, they could be forced to go to appointments or be required to take medications.
For many of these homeless people, it may be difficult to go to these appointments without a car or money. For others, they might be told they have to take medications which are not actually very helpful for their condition or which has severe negative side effects. This is not uncommon.
Many supporters of civil liberties are seeing this as a potential violation of rights.
I think it could be very understandable to require drug users to be put into treatment, but those with mental health issues usually have that condition through no fault of their own, and the reality that much of the public doesn't want to believe is that medications and treatment are usually not very effective at treating mental health conditions.
There is however a large segment of the homeless population with both borderline mental health conditions and drug issues, so this could further confuse matters.
Another likely problem with this policy is there simply do not exist enough facilities in the state to put all these people. Does it really make sense to be forcing homeless people into facilities when there does not exist enough treatment capacity for all those homeless persons who would voluntarily want treatment?
Lots of progressive organizations are speaking out and raising alarms over this new law, and normally the state of California, with its progressive politics, listens to these voices, but this time it may be that most of the voters are simply fed up with the out of control homeless situation and want something to be done, and have run out of sympathy.
Keep in mind that in many parts of the state even many middle class people struggle to be able to afford to live there, due to the high housing prices.
Why housing advocates oppose a new California law designed to help the homeless, Salon.com, Troy Farah, September 18, 2022
https://www.salon.com/2022/09/18/why-ho ... -homeless/
A new California law ostensibly aimed at helping unhoused people shreds their autonomy, advocates say.
On Wednesday, Sept 14, Newsom signed SB 1338, the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Act (CARE) into law.
The law will allow homeless persons with mental health or drug issues to be subject to probation-like restrictions and requirements, with the threat of imprisonment into prison-like treatment centers. For example, they could be forced to go to appointments or be required to take medications.
For many of these homeless people, it may be difficult to go to these appointments without a car or money. For others, they might be told they have to take medications which are not actually very helpful for their condition or which has severe negative side effects. This is not uncommon.
Many supporters of civil liberties are seeing this as a potential violation of rights.
I think it could be very understandable to require drug users to be put into treatment, but those with mental health issues usually have that condition through no fault of their own, and the reality that much of the public doesn't want to believe is that medications and treatment are usually not very effective at treating mental health conditions.
There is however a large segment of the homeless population with both borderline mental health conditions and drug issues, so this could further confuse matters.
Another likely problem with this policy is there simply do not exist enough facilities in the state to put all these people. Does it really make sense to be forcing homeless people into facilities when there does not exist enough treatment capacity for all those homeless persons who would voluntarily want treatment?
Lots of progressive organizations are speaking out and raising alarms over this new law, and normally the state of California, with its progressive politics, listens to these voices, but this time it may be that most of the voters are simply fed up with the out of control homeless situation and want something to be done, and have run out of sympathy.
Keep in mind that in many parts of the state even many middle class people struggle to be able to afford to live there, due to the high housing prices.
Why housing advocates oppose a new California law designed to help the homeless, Salon.com, Troy Farah, September 18, 2022
https://www.salon.com/2022/09/18/why-ho ... -homeless/
A new California law ostensibly aimed at helping unhoused people shreds their autonomy, advocates say.
On Wednesday, Sept 14, Newsom signed SB 1338, the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Act (CARE) into law.