Harm Reduction

Taking on the Homeless Industrial Complex Battlefield Addiction and We Heart Seattle made a huge splash this weekend, raising thousands of dollars for sober living beds in the Seattle area. For drug addicts, that means a place to go for treatment and recovery instead of being given more taxpayer-funded meth pipes and fentanyl foil. This is the start of a powerful partnership to take on the homeless industrial complex and confront lies being peddled by the “harm reduction” lobby in America. Discovery Institute was a proud sponsor of this event.

Federal Funding to Be Re-Allocated With even more federal funding cuts on the way, one of the biggest players in WA’s homeless industrial complex is crying poverty. That’s because the days of top executive salaries and zero accountability could be coming to an end. The Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) has received millions of taxpayer dollars for pushing the failed Housing First model along with “harm reduction” policies. But for more than a decade, this approach has led to record homelessness in the region, more crime, and countless drug overdose deaths behind closed doors. So Trump administration sources are telling me the hammer will finally be dropped on this madness. Expect federal funding to be re-allocated and pushed toward housing Read More ›

A low barrier homeless shelter anticipated to open in Kirkland, Washington, is driving business owner Bryan Mistele and his company out of the city. Mistele is the co-founder and CEO of INRIX, a transportation company headquartered in Kirkland, Washington. Kirkland is moving forward on a plan to convert a hotel across from INRIX into a homeless shelter, with no drug testing or treatment required. Mistele appeared on the Jason Rantz show to discuss why this is a bad idea, and why it has forced his company — one of the largest employers in Kirkland — out of the city. Announcing INRIX’s Move Kirkland Low Barrier Housing Pushed Through Despite Community Concerns

From “Doom Loop” to “Boom Loop,” San Francisco could be turning the corner on all the crime, chaos and death. A new mayor and new approach to the homeless drug crisis could be the game changer. Here’s part 1 of our series in the Bay Area. Parts of San Francisco have been described as being stuck in a perpetual doom loop. A never-ending pattern of crime, chaos, and death. But some of the most problematic neighborhoods in the city could be getting ready to break out of this vicious cycle. “Is the Tenderloin looking better?” I ask a local resident. “Oh yeah, it is,” he responds. That’s because new mayor Daniel Lurie is on a mission to reclaim what was Read More ›

“Don’t Talk to Him” Not sure if this DESC Navigation Center worker shows up for Monday’s press conference in Little Saigon. I don’t think she likes all the attention and scrutiny.

New Chinatown-ID is fighting back and demanding more support and security from Seattle leaders. Monday morning, community activists will be holding a press conference at 10:00 am in front of DESC’s Navigation Center. This controversial “low barrier” homeless shelter is being blamed for attracting crime, chaos, and death to this neighborhood. That’s because drug use is allowed and supplies are freely given out without any requirements for treatment. This past weekend a hoard of addicts overwhelmed the sidewalk right outside this facility, corroborating neighbor concerns. It was supposed to finally close by the end of January. But Mayor Bruce Harrell delayed the move until March, enraging neighbors and biz owners who have already sacrificed so much. Press Release Leading the Read More ›

New Even after hundreds of millions of dollars poured into “Housing First” and “harm reduction” programs, we are now encountering more senior citizens addicted to fentanyl on the streets of Seattle. How many more Patty’s are out there and falling through the cracks?

New “Housing First” is an utter failure and must be scrapped. The latest data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development proves it. Even the drug addicts say this not an affordable housing issue. In fact some people are now afraid to go into low barrier “permanent support housing” situations because they know drug use and overdose deaths are rampant behind closed doors. They don’t want to die alone in these inhumane conditions. “Housing First” and “harm reduction” policies are fueling this crisis. When will King County and Seattle leaders start course correcting? Liberal Media is Turning This cartoon in the Seattle Times sums up “Housing First” and how it’s been fueling the crisis on the streets. Even Read More ›

Breaking Chinatown-ID residents are furious and ready to protest after Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell delays closure of controversial DESC shelter for homeless drug addicts in Little Saigon. Community advocates say this “low barrier” facility is a magnet for crime, chaos, and death. Look at this hoard of addicts smoking and dealing fentanyl. “There is about 30 to 40 to 50 people — I can’t tell, they’re all massed together — standing right outside on the corner,” describes former City Councilmember Tanya Woo. Others are starting fires to stay warm on the corner of 12th Avenue and Weller Street. “They’re not really homeless people, they’re just people who are selling goods, buying stolen stuff, and then using drugs,” says community activist Read More ›

A doctor named Katherine A. Koh — who treats homeless people with Harvard Medical School’s Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program — cares deeply about her patients. But her policy prescriptions to help them become the formerly homeless will just keep the ongoing catastrophe rolling along. In the New England Journal of Medicine, she tells of the tragic death of one of her patients and the indifference of society to the tragedy. From “Invisible Deaths: Mortality Among People Experiencing Homelessness“: Jack died on a street corner. A larger-than-life figure, he stood more than 6 ft, 4 in. tall, exuded charismatic energy, and embraced the role of “king of the streets.” Then, at 49, he died without warning on a …