Our new report has solutions that can help communities thrive.
Dear Friend,
Many of us know someone who has struggled with drug use or who has a mental health condition, and we also see people struggling on the streets. Many of the family members and friends of people who are impacted by these issues feel like they have run out of options for their loved ones.
Our new report “From Crisis to Care: Addressing Addiction, Mental Health, and Homelessness through Health and Supportive Services” dives into these issues and the solutions that increase access to care and maintain public safety. It shows that the safest neighborhoods have the housing, health, and social services people need.
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People need better access to care. Unfortunately, elected leaders keep doubling down on punishment and criminalization. Politicians divert funding away from needed health services and support, all without addressing why people are struggling. Harsh enforcement worsens health outcomes and undermines public safety. Our report discusses five approaches to taking care of people and helping create healthier, safer communities.
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Here's what we need to build thriving communities and individuals:
1. Investment in voluntary and evidence-based treatment.
Treatment should be on-demand, affordable, accessible, and attractive. Many treatment options lower overdose risk and reduce criminal legal involvement. They also help people stay in their community, keep their housing, and hold jobs.
2. Establishment of community-based crisis response programs.
These programs attend to a mental health or drug crisis in the community by focusing on de-escalation and emergency counseling. They can improve connections to social services. Additionally, they can reduce future crises, lower arrest rates, and lead to fewer hospital stays.
3. Implementation of supportive housing programs.
These programs help people with chronic homelessness find permanent housing. They also provide ongoing support and treatment. Supportive housing helps reduce homelessness. It also lowers public suffering, arrests, and incarceration. Additionally, it cuts costs for shelters and emergency rooms.
4. Reduction of criminal penalties.
Reducing criminal penalties for drugs reduces recidivism and maintain public safety. This can also lessen the financial burden of arrests, court cases, processing, and incarceration on taxpayers.
5. Investment in long-term solutions to public safety.
Long-term investments, like social support services, healthcare, and housing, address the root causes of suffering and crises. They do this without causing human or financial harm.
We all want to keep our loved ones, families, and communities safer and healthier. We have proactive solutions. We must use them to help people and neighborhoods thrive.
We hope you’ll read the full report to learn more about the complexities of drug use, mental health and homelessness – and our solutions that effectively address the needs of people who use drugs and people with mental health conditions.
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Aliza Cohen
Research Coordinator
Drug Policy Alliance
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