drug addiction

Dr. Robert Marbut, a former federal homelessness official, said on Newsmax Saturday that President Donald Trump’s new executive order marks a turning point by reversing policies in Democrat-led cities that he believes have enabled drug use while neglecting treatment. Marbut, former executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, voiced strong support for President Donald Trump’s July 24 executive order targeting homelessness, addiction, and public disorder. Appearing on “The Count,” Marbut said the order is a needed correction to policies in many Democrat-controlled cities, which he claims have made it “easy to get high and hard to get treatment.” “What President Trump’s executive order does it start to make it easy to get treatment and hard to get high,” Read More ›

“Today marks the beginning of the end of Housing First as the federal government’s one-size-fits-all—and failed—approach to homelessness.” Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets,” marking a pivotal shift in federal homelessness policy. Following a decade of failure under our nation’s one-size-fits-all approach to homelessness—Housing First—the president’s move is a long-overdue course-correction rooted in hope, healing, and human dignity. To understand its gravity, we must first confront the promise—and profound failure—of the policy he will begin replacing. In 2013, President Barack Obama pledged to end homelessness within 10 years by embracing Housing First, a model that promised stability through life-long, subsidized housing, with no requirement to address underlying challenges like Read More ›

Out of Sight, Out of Mind The Trump administration is in the process of defunding “permanent supportive housing” for homeless drug addicts across the nation. That’s because data shows these “low barrier” tax funded facilities just warehouse individuals and invite more crime into neighborhoods. In some instances, case workers irresponsibly place addicts on the same floor with drug dealers. Listen to this former Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) resident describe what’s really happening inside.

Revolving Door Even after aggressive sweeps, most of the drug encampments are back in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. The game of Whack-a-mole continues as Mayor Bruce Harrell struggles to find long-term solutions to address this street crisis. Ironically, the latest hot mess is right outside the notorious Downtown Emergency Service Center Hobson Place building for homeless drug addicts. This taxpayer funded blight on the community is a leader in 911 call volume and no one is required to go into drug addiction treatment programs. It’s just another DESC revolving door of crime and chaos in the city.

Social Services Row Crime, chaos, and death sums up what’s happening in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. The cross streets near social service providers like Plymouth Housing and REACH continue to be the root of all drug-related problems. They are both notorious pushers of the failed “harm reduction” and Housing First policies that have led to even higher rates of homelessness and drug overdose deaths in the region. Making matters worse, the Stay Out of Drug Areas (SODA) ordinance has been a total flop since it’s barely being enforced.

Lost to Drugs The street crisis in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood is being fueled by drugs and mental illness. Some of the city funded non-profits like REACH and Plymouth Housing also have a presence in this neighborhood. Critics say their clients are the ones running wild on the streets and causing most of the problems. Late Tuesday evening, Andrea Suarez of We Heart Seattle tried to help a woman undressing on the sidewalk. But she was lost in her drug-induced mania.

Horror Show Parts of Seattle remain a horror show. From sex trafficking out of tents to overdose deaths on the streets, the human suffering in neighborhoods like Chinatown-ID remain off the charts. Late Tuesday evening, I followed Andrea Suarez as she tried to get multiple people into detox and treatment. But they all refused. Law enforcement shows up on occasion and moves people along. But the addicts and dealers return once officers leave. Meanwhile, Mayor Bruce Harrell and city agencies remain paralyzed. It’s now been nearly four years of failure under his watch as the drug crisis spirals out of control. Until you see the city’s elected officials walking these dangerous streets, don’t believe anything they say on this matter. Read More ›

Money Gone to Waste Seattle spent more than $800 million on its waterfront revitalization project. Mayor Bruce Harrell said it would create a vibrant, accessible, and engaging public space. Today, new water fountains are being used as bubble baths for homeless drug addicts.

Downtown Chaos Hurts Business Owners The owner of a limousine service says he might be exiting Seattle after a homeless drug addict went on a rampage and trashed one of his vehicles. This happened right after clients were dropped off at the Post Malone and Jelly Roll concert in T-Mobile Park. Even though the suspect was arrested, the limo owner is now blasting Mayor Bruce Harrell for enabling chaos on the streets which continues to hurt small business owners. Lake Tapps Limousine The trashed limo will be out of commission for several weeks, which also takes away work from several drivers. Otherwise, Lake Tapps still serves the Seattle area and has high ratings. To support them during this time, hire Read More ›

The City Turns a Blind Eye Seattle’s latest out-of-control drug encampment is the former Joann Fabrics site in Ballard. Business owners and neighbors say Mayor Bruce Harrell and Councilmember Dan Strauss have totally ignored this problem since this is happening on private property. But dozens of drug addicts have trashed the area and all the crime and chaos from this location keeps spilling into the side streets. Meanwhile, one guy living in a tent told me he’s rejecting free housing because the provider requires all dogs to be neutered. Make it make sense.