r/NoStupidQuestions • u/Garey_Coleman • 10d ago

Where are the homeless supposed to go?

Cities have been cracking down on homeless people so they can’t have encampments or stay on sidewalks. At the same time usually the shelters are full. So those who are unable to get into a shelter, where are they supposed to go?

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u/Eudaimonics 9d ago

Drugs are illegal, so it would be pretty easy for a doctor to prescribe long term treatment to a judge over jail time. We just need the beds at treatment facilities.

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u/Hobbesfrchy 9d ago

Sadly most homeless addicts will refuse help

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u/Eudaimonics 9d ago

What part of court order don’t you understand?

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u/Hobbesfrchy 9d ago

What part of ... That violates HIPAA laws do you not understand? The government cannot manage not mandate medical care for individuals. Also, even if they would that would be highly unethical and authoritarian. Who gets to decide which person needs treatment? The government? Imagine you get into a car accident and someone in the government decides you are mentally ill even though you aren't. You are forced into treatment and now you cannot work to pay your bills. You lose your house, family...

Comments like yours reminds me that most of reddit has no idea how the world really works.

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u/Eudaimonics 9d ago

What part about drug use, public intoxication and drug possession being illegal don’t you understand. The government already locks up people with addictions which isn’t helpful because criminal charges make it impossible to find a job/housing even if you get clean.

Individuals would need to undergo a medical evaluation and be prescribed the best solution, be it lighter treatments or full on admission into a long term care facility.

Don’t be dense. What we’re currently doing has been a complete failure. The longer these people are on the streets the higher the chance they’re going to OD.

The compassionate thing is to give them the treatment they need before they OD or succumb to the elements.

The only thing holding us back is funding and political will power.

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u/kmoz 9d ago

What youre describing is forced institutionalization and/or prison btw.

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u/Eudaimonics 8d ago

It’s the last resort option only after evaluated by a medical professional.

Many unhoused individuals find themselves in a constant cycle of being arrested and released, picking up charges that make it almost impossible for them to find housing or work even if they could.

This is the middle ground. Medically supervised treatment in a safe environment, esponge criminal charges, and assistance for finding housing (see my point about transitional housing) and work upon release.

You can’t expect people to get healthy in shelters or camps. There’s way too many ODs and deaths due to exposure.

What’s your solution?

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u/Hobbesfrchy 9d ago edited 8d ago

What you are describing is the government forcing people into mental institutions. Take a look at how that worked in the 1960s. If Trump had that power which states or districts of states do you think he would target right now? How many of those people he will lock up really should not be locked up?

Come back after you graduate high school and after you have lived in the real world. Then decide whether or not this is a good idea. Your simplistic solution to a very complex problem is not feasible.

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u/Eudaimonics 9d ago

Trump isn’t even giving people due process. Totally different.

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u/Hobbesfrchy 8d ago

So, Trump isn't giving people due process but you don't think he will force people in blue states into mental institutions if he has the power to do so? Is that your argument?

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u/Eudaimonics 8d ago

I don’t understand, there’s nothing stopping him from doing that now

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u/Hobbesfrchy 8d ago

Yes there is. Due to HIPPA and other laws the government cannot have access to medical records, force people to take medical tests, or force them to take medications. The only thing they can do is involuntarily commit a person to a mental ward in a hospital for up to three days if that person theatens to hurt himself or others.

You want to remove those laws because you think that is what is best for people who are homeless due to addiction. What do you think he or others like him will do when those laws are removed?

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u/RemoteRide6969 8d ago

Dude you're soooooooo close to getting the point.

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u/RemoteRide6969 8d ago

Dude you're soooooooo close to getting the point.