In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass seems to think she deserves a medal for reducing homelessness by an alleged three percent. The self-congratulatory tone isn’t new among liberal city leaders, who often celebrate the smallest victories like they’ve just solved world hunger. Yet, beneath the surface of this so-called progress lies an unsettling reality that cannot be ignored.
After years of spending $2 billion, Los Angeles shaved off a mere sliver from its homelessness problem. Bass’s strategy involved moving the homeless into hotels and motels—a temporary fix that cost a fortune. This approach has sparked criticism, notably from Dr. Drew Pinsky, a vocal critic who doesn’t mince words about the inefficacy of current policies. He argues that shuffling people around doesn’t address the root causes, likening it to moving deck chairs on the Titanic.
The situation on the ground tells a different story than what politicians might want the public to believe. Mental health issues and drug addiction fuel the homelessness crisis, and putting individuals with severe psychiatric conditions in temporary housing without comprehensive support is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg. Dr. Drew highlights the problem with social workers handling cases far too complex for their roles, comparing it to asking a physical therapist to perform surgery.
Meanwhile, drug use on the streets complicates matters further. While some point fingers at cannabis, Dr. Drew insists the bigger culprits are meth and fentanyl. These powerful drugs, often part of a progression that starts with substances like nicotine, lay waste to mental health, deepening the plight of the homeless. Yet, bizarrely, those in power seem content to ignore these realities, claiming that simply meeting people “where they are” is enough.
Finally, the dreamers with utopian visions propose solutions so impractical they sound like plot points from a bad dystopian novel. One such idea considers confiscating private property to ensure everyone has a home. If only it were that simple. The reality is much harsher, demanding a multifaceted approach that includes proper mental health services and addiction treatment. Simply funneling people into four walls won’t solve a crisis born from decades of neglect and mishandling. Los Angeles and cities like it face a long road ahead—a road that won’t be paved with temporary wins or superficial fixes.
