Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

realog173 t1_iyr0ggp wrote

Reply to comment by SolitaryMarmot in What forced hospitalization feels like in New York City, as Mayor Adams pushes for more by psychothumbs

This is a fine idea to solve part of the problem, but then let’s actually do that. All similar efforts to this point have been totally half baked and ineffective. Taking these people off the streets at least provides a solution for the rest of us even if it’s not an effective treatment.

The other question is what to do with the people who don’t want to go to supportive housing because there are rules. In Cape Town for example they offer excellent housing programs and even include free training for trades and other entry level jobs, but the streets are still swarmed because you’re not allowed to do drugs in these houses.

12

SolitaryMarmot t1_iyr35xs wrote

But they will just be back on the streets in 72 hours up to 15 days. And they just get better at hiding from treatment. That's why a bunch of clinicians were quoted in the Goldstein article yesterday claiming what a poor idea this is. It will likely make the problem worse in the long run. Discharging people back to the street or a homeless shelter while overburdening an already stressed inpatient psych system is a terrible idea. There aren't beds for people who ARE suicidal and homicidal. Now those people will be lined up in ED hallways and on med surg floors because the cops are rounding up the homeless and turning Hospitals in de facto shelters.

We should build the mental health infrastructure people need instead of doing something counter productive that has the potential to break and already fragile system.

7

realog173 t1_iyrc89r wrote

Definitely agree we need real solutions that address the source of these problems, but I don’t agree that this will make the problem on the streets worse.

2

fafalone t1_iyu7wpq wrote

> but the streets are still swarmed because you’re not allowed to do drugs in these houses.

Get rid of this stupid fucking policy, that's one thing that can be done. It's ass-backwards to try to force someone with a drug problem to quit first, then be able to stabilize their life. A stable life is a key factor for being able to get off drugs, and Housing First programs that provide housing regardless of sobriety have been far more effective than enforced sobriety.

2

happybarfday t1_iz1me5f wrote

Okay but then how do you handle the liability when they overdose in the housing you're providing? Who is cleaning it up if they soil themselves or destroy the house in a mentally ill fit? Who is watching them 24/7 to make sure they aren't doing this things in the first place and intervening?

What about other sober homeless people who don't want to be around people doing drugs and drinking? They're now forced to live next to a bunch of people shooting up and passing out drunk?

What do you do to prevent theft and assault within these places? You hire 24/7 security and nurses? Who's paying for all this for the next 100 years?

0