Involuntary care sounds like jail to people at risk

People living in Kelowna's largest homeless encampment fear the province's plans.
Full story: www.kelownanow...

[@ShatteredCiv]

Finally! Time to stop letting the inmates run the asylum!

[@MK-cc5ve]

In Amsterdam it is illegal to sleep “rough”, consequently they can chose between nights in jail (where they can not ingest drugs/alcohol) or they can stay in a shelter. Once they’re in a shelter they are plugged into services including getting housing. Sleeping in a tent in a park doing drugs and partying is out of the question. These people obviously need much more help than they realize and comprehend. And I really need to not be surrounded by them in my daily excursions.

[@Garfunkymunky]

If involuntary care isn't the answer then what is? Nobody can look outside their door these days and think things are ok.

[@deeeno6867]

Well, the opposite of involuntary care would be voluntary care, so that sounds like an easy start

[@user-cc5od3zk4p]

So what’s the answer? Allow addicts to wander aimlessly and cause harm in perpetuity? I don’t want to come home to find another addict in my yard. They don’t work and pay taxes and they demand rights. I’m really tired of this.

[@drunkvegangal8089]

Seriously? Did you not watch this? The answer is Housing First. Look where these folks are living... First get stable housing and then start encouraging treatment. Why were there so few homeless in Kelowna in the 60s, 70s and even up to 1986 while I still lived there? Easy. Addicts still had housing. Yes - there were fewer addicts but there were fewer people (overall) as well.

[@eduardosanchez7792]

Jail

[@drunkvegangal8089]

@@eduardosanchez7792 Proper housing is exponentially cheaper than the court system and jail. Even in-patient treatment is cheaper than jail but people need secure housing to really change their lives. Example: if we jail them - like you want - where do they go when they get out of jail? Hmmmmmmm?

[@daves3108]

​@@drunkvegangal8089you are dumb

[@jasonlauritsen5587]

​@@drunkvegangal8089ah yes, lets give them taxpayer funded housing, for them to turn into crack houses, pdf file house, whore houses, burnt down houses, let them rip the wiring out of the houses so that they can sell the copper to get high for a single night, etc. Go eff yourself, you're either a head yourself, or you've never been impacted by them. But considering your profile name, I'd say your a head as well or a boning a head.

[@Ian-of9oi]

They seem friendly enough now. Not so friendly when they are stealing your property to support the addiction the say they have a right to have.

[@Breakingbylaws]

they're like gremlins, alot of them are fine during the day.. but at night they turn into anti social feinds that will stop at nothing to get what they want.

[@David-bh1rn]

To be fair if they're coherent enough to talk on camera you probably wouldn't see the really bad people who would steal or be violent

[@davidweisschadel]

​@@David-bh1rn you would be surprised what desperation can do to a person

[@HellDescent]

How about actual jail for drug use?? You can't force addicts to change, but you can keep streets and general public safe by theowing them in prison for drug use, possession and distribution

[@deeeno6867]

That’s such a dystopian way to live. Next thing would be locking people up for being depressed to protect the vibes of the “general public”

[@Cher1924]

The serious mentally ill need to be kept in a safe environment for all concerned.

[@davidweisschadel]

And for there own safety

[@chachak8978]

They have free will, it is their right to look, orange, green, or zombie grey. The rest of us also have free will not to watch people destroy themselves publicly without care. What about those rights? Why are we forced to accept such delusional sentiments? Why are these people's rights more important than the rest of ours?

[@jasonlauritsen5587]

Oh but they're victims, and bla bla bla. Bah, I had a pretty effed up life too, the only things not done to me as a kid was SA, and i never choose to be a head. And thats exactly what it is, a choice.

[@jeepstuff4004]

Can’t win, they say there is not enough help, but now, they don’t want help. It’s either jail or treatment. Enough already.

[@k.elysium6819]

How about you leave them alone as long as they aren't stealing from you. Theft should be punished, not homelessness.

[@drunkvegangal8089]

How about supplying affordable housing? Once you have housing you have community, security and are much more likely to see hope and the possibility of building a future for yourself. What kind of future would forcible treatment offer? Did you, jeepstuff4004 ever quit smoking? Lose substantial weight? Stop a destructive habit like gambling or alcohol?

[@Migmaw]

Bet you were a COVID Convoy to Parliament supporter eh, Get you complained about your rights eh, Freedom! Freedom! Unless it's something you do not agree with eh then it's fuk their freedom

[@jasonlauritsen5587]

​@@k.elysium6819are you dumb or just ignorant? Seriously? They can't do drugs without committing crime, drugs are extremely expensive and when you're smoking crack or meth all day, the only money you can make is by stealing, selling drugs, pimping, or making drugs. All of which are crimes. Nobody who isn't already filthy rich can afford to do $300+ a day worth of drugs. You obviously know nobody who is a head. So stfu and stay in your lane

[@odoaceroftheneoromanempire7178]

@@drunkvegangal8089 As I said above, everyone knows what happens when you give certain homeless people housing. Crime skyrockets in the area and the residents of the neighborhood start getting fed up with the crime, garbage, and other hazards, and then people like you handwave away their concerns and call them nimby's. Funnily enough, it is always the working and middle class neighborhoods that get these "affordable housing" slums put in and never the rich progressive neighborhoods that demanded they be built in the first place. You want affordable housing? Build it in the rich areas. They can afford to pack up and leave. The working and dwindling middle class usually cannot.

[@Denykelso]

Cool blue plaid guy, we can't force you to get treatment the same as you can't force us to give you free drugs.

[@jakhamar55]

AND make em work. Pick up garbage, wash windows, whatever.

[@dreamarcher4018]

I think that would help them on there way to recovery is to give them a purpose in live a little bit more every day!

[@rg5445]

If they think it sounds like jail, it sounds like they know exactly what we’re talking about then.

[@vancouverislandandthething3945]

Bs. I was an heroin addict. Giving them housing without treatment just means they'll be more likely to OD because they aren't around others when they fix or smoke. And very few addicts get treatment if housing is hunky doory. If homelessness doesn't kick it not much will. And decriminalization of drugs is absolutely daft. We need a drug court here. They choose whether to do time in a jail or a rehab. Either way they aren't on the streets using. And housing? Even as an addict I would have been saying, sweet! Don't have to work I can still get high and I get a place before my friend, who works her ... off, can afford one. The way they are going about it also makes for kids thinking hey no consequence if I get caught with personal. I'll just try it once. From someone who did. And then did 6 years in hell... Good luck with that.

[@jasonlauritsen5587]

Finally someone who is in the know. I've never been a head, but my stepdad, step brother and many friends and acquaintances were, and us family members certainly suffered for it. Good on you for getting the help you needed and not becoming one of these morons who make excuses. I don't think that mostbof the people supporting them doing drugs has every actually had any experience with heads further than driving by them, or they're heads themselves.

[@elifowler8995]

You cannot even leave truthful comments on here without it being taken down. Maybe the first step is stopping censorship on this issue?

[@JamesBiggar]

Most news media doesn't want to hear from the victims of their behavior. We're not the right type of victim, whether we've been abused, robbed of property or robbed of life, be it our own or an addict we desperately tried to save in a system with brain-fart solutions that only enabled them. It's inconvenient for certain people.

[@k.elysium6819]

Same here, this is pissing me off. I don't understand who is doing it but every time I do it's taken down. I remove all keywords, like the names of certain things people use and still it's taken down. I'm sick of this crap.

[@VengefulTruther]

Kelowna Now is taking the comments down.

[@monty1637]

This government is not democratic at all is, and is definitely not ran by the people of Canada.

[@elietheprof5678]

Truthful comments, like the fact that forced rehab costs far more than just giving them homes

[@zeballos5757]

So basically they don’t want help, they just want to continue burdening everyone else with their problems.

[@dreamarcher4018]

Exactly. They like their victimhood and don't want to be helped. These are the people who need reeducation not Jordan Peterson.

[@piperlynne1]

If people can't look after themselves then don't we have a duty of care? If crimes are committed then treatment can happen in jail. When crime becomes their life it harms us all. I don't think anyone wants to be an addict or be mentally ill. Living on the streets and leaving garbage all over and having our ER's full of drug addicts isn't working for anyone either.

[@monty1637]

The government created most of these drug issues, now they are simply making us slaves. but you are to blind to see.

[@stephanyalisova94]

These people are not capable of making any rational decision

[@David-bh1rn]

Then doing this wouldn't help much either

[@davidweisschadel]

​@@David-bh1rn o.O how does that make sense... Having the people who can't take care of themselves, be taken care of, wouldn't work? Wtf?

[@sunrise1975italia]

Don’t want help, don’t ask for help.

[@katlynklassen809]

At risk? They risk themselves. Everyone is expected to bend over for these people who can't keep their shit together. We all have trauma. Lots of people have struggles. Being an addict is not okay it damages society. They don't care about anyone else but demand the world cater to them. They don't even care for themselves otherwise they would not treat themselves so poorly. We owe them nothing.

[@VengefulTruther]

@@katlynklassen809 Liberal policies.

[@drunkvegangal8089]

They are human beings and members of both our culture and society. It is always more economical to help people then to let them be arrested and sent through the court system and jail. Which university did you graduate from with your Doctorate in Psychology, Psychiatry, Economics or even Social Work? Experts like you shouldn't be shy about letting people know your qualifications as much as you enjoy posting your opinions. :D :D

[@JustinWC-w1m]

Now do criminal immigrants.

[@jasonlauritsen5587]

Exactly! Eff em all, cuz that's their opinion on us.

[@direction88]

Sounds like exactly what they need and we demand.

[@songololo-pt4qr]

The population being addressed by involuntary care is a small subset with very complex neurological, psychiatric and addiction comorbidities who are highly behaviourally disturbed and unable to be managed in the community due to safety and chronicity concerns.

[@ShatteredCiv]

The operative words here are "small subset." No need to worry about such a small cohort when they affect millions overall. I'm down with the incarceration and involuntary care. Letting the inmates run the asylum is CRAZY!

[@karlawson]

This is exactly what the opponents need to hear. if you've seen, heard and spent time with this small subset, your heart breaks for them and half-assed attempts are not the answer. If these laws or actions are well thought out I can see them doing some good for people. What we've been doing isn't working so I say we try other options that yes, may scare people out make them uneasy but may help those most affected.

[@WorldNarratives-qd4hz]

The last several years since the hospitals were shut down, have been extremely cruel to those with extreme neurological needs and addictions. Those thinking that leaving these individuals to their own devices have not done them any services. It is encouraging news that we are starting to head towards the decision of broading involuntary treatment but we are going to need many beds to even start to undue the damage that has been done.

[@davidweisschadel]

All great comments... and great points to why this is a good thing

[@seedsofwisdom4u]

Being an addict is the addicts problem.

[@aaronsimmons6307]

What about protecting the majority?

[@lynngalibois1937]

Then there should be speed traps all over the place, extra police to identify intoxicated drivers, and equalize the system for those then that aren't on drugs or with a MH councillor that may be drunk or creating a BIG scene and tell them they need help,though they don't want it... A teacher gets caught drinking and driving, are they then picked up and put in for 96hours until they can see a dr to analyze and release them ? no....

[@johnd8596]

Reaching much? 😂​@@lynngalibois1937

[@JustinWC-w1m]

If that was a concern they would close the borders and deport the criminals. They don't care about anyone, it's all about the agenda.

[@mcfoolskully]

​@@lynngalibois1937imagine comparing speeding to the crimes committed by addicts 😂😂

[@NotCoolNancy]

What ever this is. It's NOT working. Can't remain in a community peaceful ? Then it's over

[@A-Grammie-On-the-ROCK]

The powers of darkness would deliberately murder these folks

[@blanchecarte963]

100% step for the greater good join the maid program.

[@jasonlauritsen5587]

Lmao the "powers of darkness" would keep them shooting up, and smoke crack and meth. Goddamn you people are either dumb or ignorant. How many heads have you ever known? It's either zero, or you're a head yourself.

[@louisehoward8711]

Okay, which is more culpable, caring for those incapable of caring for themselves or watching them freely , slowly, and painfully killing themselves? The proposal for care is for people who are mentally ill and very addicted . The number of homeless persons on the streets doubled when Riverview was closed, and with no plan in place, the situation on the streets has spiraled out of control. Have the courage to act and help those who can not help themselves, house, feed, or control their addictions and actions. It is very cruel to sit back and watch people suffer and self-destruct and tell yourself you have given them their 'freedom'.

[@k.elysium6819]

You don't have to "watch" them. Walk by their tent and ignore them as long as they aren't doing anything to you. You are not their parents.

[@StevieG-om6rp]

Sometimes tough choices needs to be made We can’t go on like this

[@davidweisschadel]

But it's not jail. No matter how much it sounds like it... Sorry your wrong... you just wanna keep using drugs and don't wanna get help... So us "regular people" gotta deal with it.... F that

[@TrollBswebsites]

drugs are the ones speaking dude, Junkies have no self agency, their dealers do.

[@FamilyCheung-kc1pw]

Why you are only asking addicted ppl? Why don’t ask ppl affect by drug addiction other and theft who is doing business in Vancouver or living in resident ?

[@jasonlauritsen5587]

Or the children of those addicts that have been sold for sx to their current dealer, or for making the kid go hungry because crack is more important than feeding the kid.

[@spookycircuits455]

Perhaps because they are the people being directly affected by this.

[@Holeysocks464]

If there is criminal activity involved then perhaps a choice, jail or rehab?

[@MythsScamsLies]

The application of that law will last exactly 10 minutes or until the first lawsuit by somebody in custody can make it to a court. You can't apprehend and hold people against their will without an actual criminal charge. Criminalizing people with substance abuse problems is an automatic failure.

[@aaronsimmons6307]

Take care of yourself or go into involuntary care. The answer can't be to take other people's choices away by being where it's illegal.

[@VengefulTruther]

Right to do drugs and be a hindrance on society? Lol ya okay..what non sense..

[@jessewatkins5059]

This law wont apply to people of sound mind. This is clickbait for the Kelowna propaganda machine. Do research before reporting.

[@joealomar-cu3qb]

we're done with drug zombie encampments and homeless vagrants everywhere. sorry about your hurt feelings but society wants clean streets and parks again so, if you clearly show you can't take care of yourself society steps in.

[@drunkvegangal8089]

Affordable housing is the answer. Addicts used to live in homes, dude. This is a copy-and-paste from someone else I responded to in this comment section; The answer is Housing First. Look where these folks are living... First get stable housing and then start encouraging treatment. Why were there so few homeless in Kelowna in the 60s, 70s and even up to 1986 while I still lived there? Easy. Addicts still had housing. Yes, there were fewer addicts but there were fewer people (overall) as well.

[@SCVM__]

Choice .... Prison for possession or Treatment.

[@brendabrinkmanpasichnyk3500]

Sounds good. Of course step in on their behalf because they're incapable of wise/ healthy choices.

[@KennethReid-i3b]

Great idea send them all to jail

[@k.elysium6819]

Only the ones that steal to support a habit should be forced into care. Treatment does not work until theyre ready. It's just a waste of money. Especially for people who have chronic pain but medicate it themselves. They will just scream the entire time they're in rehab, won't be able to remember anything or even hold a conversation in some cases. Chronic migraines, that are so painful they make you puke is one example. Also not everyone who uses, or is homeless is an addict.

[@PaulClarke-f8n]

They won’t want to quit if they are given free drugs

[@jeepstuff4004]

lol criminals talking about rights. It’s laughable

[@Skull_Collector]

😂😂 It's not a crime to be a drug addict, it's a crime to have drugs but not a crime being an addict. So Addicts don't carry drugs, your easy pickings for them to fill there quotas.

[@natalianegritto]

Too bad. It’s a crime to loiter

[@evelynjones5037]

We had one try and break into our house and the RCMP told us that we could not even change the man with trespassing, and he would not be charged for trying to break into our home that we own because We couldn't prove intent, but our neighbors called the RCMP and then us and we had to leave work and he wasn't friendly he was way out of it saying my rocks in the yard were covered with blood and my house kills people, but again this is Canada and people have the right to, choose if they want treatment or not ,if we allow them to take away some people,s freedoms then who,s freedoms will be taken away next ?? Your,s mone ?? I I stand for freedom for All Canadians

[@A-db4tz]

Addiction is a symptom of other issues people are dealing with. It's a maladaptive coping strategy. Forcing people into "care" when many aren't even seen as worthwhile humans because they don't have a place to live, and may be on substances ( while on the street) is simply trying to hide the problem we have; an inadequate social safety net, lack of community and actual care for people. People on the street need a home, not to be institutionalized; especially against their will. Safety, comfort, and hope for the future is essential. Stability. Affordability. Accessible healthcare that is preventative as well, and continuous for everyone* People need solutions, and they aren't going to get them by simply being sober. Once out, what do they have? The comments are horrific, but not shocking which is just sad.

[@Lamarsh67]

Finally. This is the first comment I read that actually made sense.

[@emceeafrica]

Involuntary human trials for breakthrough medical research should do just fine

[@cheeseburgerkid1329]

We're trying to have a civilization here. I doubt the law is to force people into rehab or mental institutions but rather to bust up the encampments of despair that pop up.

[@anitae]

They should be required to do this before they are given social housing.

[@loganmclennan2617]

TEMOPORARY free housing with mandatory drug tests - if failed - mandatory rehab. otherwise, they will continue to be an addict and in turn - homeless.

[@jasonlauritsen5587]

And 3 times a week testing. The vast majority of hard drugs are out of your system in mere days. My crackhead stepdad passed many piss/blood tests. All it takes is 2-3 days of sobriety.

[@roynaidu2327]

Won't work unless there's mental health help. People chose drugs mainly for self medication, addiction is a side effect.

[@jasonlauritsen5587]

And every prison in the world that isn't run by some sh**hole like Thailand or N. Korea has mental health help readily available in jail... so what's the problem? Most will even give you schooling and skills training.

[@timtaylor750]

They may not like the sounds of it but later when they get caught doing whatever because of drugs, mah, it's not so bad. Fake jail now is better than real jail later.

[@SH-lb1nu]

Most entitled group of people that ever existed

[@anitae]

everything they have is free- compliments of your tax dollars. Rehab or welfare....it's your choice

[@briancathcart3482]

Feelings .....all I heard were feelings, not one fact.

[@Abc-kf4qx]

So when people refuse to change, are a constant problem and drain on societies limited resources what choices are we left with? This “reporter” showed their bias and ignorance all in one go.

[@vanessajohnsen388]

ABSURD! NOONE WILL FORCE SOBRIETY! ITS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO WANT IT!

[@fraz2983]

When are adults going to enter the room?

[@johnd8596]

Too many liberal children in Canada

[@timstevens76]

Its sad that we let Canada go down so far.... I do feel bad but its time to clean up the streets and these people are going to pay the ultimate price of their freedom until they see that being a drug addict has consequences and should direct the anger towards the current governments that allowed this to happen...

[@lc500yyc]

Daaaamn my man has a gold chain, brand name clothes and a nice backpack. He's even shaved. Bums don't look like bums anymore

[@makaylaforbes6719]

Guy is absolutely right. Itll just be a waste of money to force them into rehab unless the people want to quit. Also, when did we start FORCING people to make decisions someone else wants them to make? Lastly, what about the homeless who ARENT addicts? Plenty of them around, but theyre gonna be forced into rehab too? It would be ultimately cheaper just to house them and let the onea who want rehab have it

[@MK-cc5ve]

How do you know it would be cheaper to house them and let rehab be optional? Just curious where you got that fact from. There are supports needed for people to stay housed, this costs more than just housing, the really dodgy ones who don’t know basic hygiene etc. A portion of these folks don’t have the intelligence to hold down a job, anyone with grade 10 or less, isn’t going to have success in the job market. They’ll get upset and act out over small things and get fired.

[@makaylaforbes6719]

@@MK-cc5ve how wouldn't it be cheaper to house them? Rehab is medical/psychological care. That doesn't come cheap. You can count on doubling the cost of housing alone for that, then there's meals. Can't have them in there without feeding them

[@makaylaforbes6719]

@@MK-cc5ve and as far as not being smart enough to work or keep clean, that's pretty offensive considering the number of working homeless, not to mention just because someone only has a grade 10 education doesn't mean they never had trade certification, so that doesn't mean they're "too stupid to work" and a grade 10 education hardly equals dirty hygiene

[@MK-cc5ve]

@@makaylaforbes6719 I didn’t comment on Rehab V Housing. I was commenting the nuances and hidden costs. If you really want me to comment on Rehab V Housing, I would make the observation that detox is one week, and rehab can be a few months, or on an out patient plan. Plenty of people overcome alcoholism with AA meetings, others with NA meetings. So there really is no comparison, which is why I didn’t bother. Housing for a year versus a week of detox, you can figure out the costs yourself.

[@MK-cc5ve]

@@makaylaforbes6719 All kinds of scientific research indicates a 5% to 10% chance of holding down a job with a low IQ. The reality is a portion, not all which I think you jumped to, are never going to make it alone. They will need support, a lot of it. It’s a bell curve reality.

[@luciaiorio220]

Then druggies....blah blah, blah...

[@elifowler8995]

2:19 "Like any animal, it's going to retaliate." Well, at least they know what they are.

[@Migmaw]

Involuntary care sounds like addict incarceration. Im sure many Canadians think hoing back to when you could sign people into mental hospitals against their will and drug addicts going to prison sounds good but its not, You cannot help someone who doesn't want to be helped. Imagine if your parents or teacher thought you weren't doing a good enough job raising Johnny and Jane to their standards and put you in mandatory parenting care and took your kids? Imagine if someone decided based on the way you live decides nope they need care because their addicted to work so they jeed mandatory care and have to stay in a facility and can only work 2 jobs not 3, or Grandma went to the casino and lost 20 bucks playing slots she jeeds to be in a secure age home? All crazy analogies i know, out of this world make no sense analogies but if you can involuntarily lock one group of people up and its accepted it wont he as hard to lock up the next group that doesn't meet the criteria of "normal"

[@daves3108]

I don't think people understand that these people like the drug, let them live in their tent cities do there thing and let nature take its course.

[@jasonlauritsen5587]

But 1st build a wall topped with razor wire, and no exits. Give them a water fountain some sewage pipes, and gardens. And let them work the rest out.

[@AlmightyNOG]

Disgusting. What happened to this country

[@deeds2668]

United Nations Committee ratified The United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in which involuntary detention and treatment of people with mental health (or “psychosocial”) disabilities are prohibited. "Autonomous decision-making, in its pure sense, is often difficult to achieve in psychiatric settings where a patient has a diminished capacity for autonomous decision-making" Also, BC never has never had enough beds for voluntary treatment, if the province was unwilling to fund voluntary beds then it's unlikely that they will properly fund involuntary treatment beds. It's a scam, and they are just going to imprison them.

[@jasonlauritsen5587]

The same UN that sends it people to places like Africa and Asia, then protects those people when they eff little kids? Yeah screw the UN.

[@gregbeaudoin2443]

Exactly buddy "we are Canadian citizens" we are not free. This is a semi communist country and always has been 😢

[@KA-vr4uu]

Give everybody a place to live and a stipend & offer voluntary care…involuntary care goes against the basics of medical ethics. So many comments here without a trace of compassion!!

[@Richard660318]

Can these people not see how sad and pathetic their lives are. There needs to be jail time for possession of hard drugs.

[@k.elysium6819]

Everyone I know who went to jail for that came out even worse. One guy lost his mind a year or so in. He punched through a window thinking he was already dead and nearly did die from blood loss. He had a good job before he went, supported himself and his gf. Another guy who had a good job got nabbed for possession. He started selling himself inside and continued when he got out. A woman racked up a debt inside and ended up getting pimped to pay her debt when she got out. Then there's the ones that self delete or find someone violent enough to do it for them. I don't personally know anyone who has, but I've heard of this happening within my social circle.

[@jhansen2649]

Good Christians! Put God in their minds! Only religion can fix them.

[@elietheprof5678]

BEING AN ADDICT IS NOT A CRIME.

[@matthewt4272]

Lots of addicts commit crime.

[@loganmclennan2617]

that's right! but the theft, illegal camping, and public disturbance that goes hand in hand with being an addict - IS!

[@rclewis01]

Not to mention public intoxication, fecal matter, urine, and used needles. I agree, start with some free housing with strict rules. No drugs. If you get caught, 3 strikes you're out. To get free housing again, you have to go the rehab. If you don't want to, then no housing. One person can't decide that they want to do drugs while the rest of society pays for their support and housing.

[@jasonlauritsen5587]

No but all the crime that they commit to get money for drugs is a crime. Could you afford to spend $300+ daily on crack? Guaranteed you can't.

[@garyfrancis6193]

This was all predictable over 50 years ago when use of drugs was being promoted in pop music of the late 1960’s. This is a result of the war in Vietnam when primarily American soldiers returned home with drug habits. This in turn is a result of the assassination of JFK in Nov 1963. Up to then you never heard of drug use being promoted in pop music. He wanted to withdraw troops from Vietnam. Aftrr he was gone Linden Johnson massively increased American involvement in Vietnam and the drug issue is just one side effect of that war. Another was the suspension of the US military draught. Now 50+ years on ee are seeing how this drug issue mushroomed into a major social problem over successive generations with associated crime, disease, economic and moral decay. You arecdealing with the children, grandchildren and maybe great grandchildren of those drug crazed , free love, give it to establishment man, hippies of the late 1960’s and into the 1970’s. I was born in Kelowna in 1950 and saw all this happening and didn’t participate. I left Canada and the English speaking world in the late 1980’s and never returned as Cansdian society crumbled. I have been back a dozen times to visit since 1991 and each time there eere more homeless street people and governments doing nothing but make things worse. British Columbia now and Kelowna are nothing like the place I was born and grew up in during the 1950’s and 60’s. Last time in the Okanagan in 2003 it was like foreigners had invsded and taken over the province with their morally dissolute political ideologies creating greater apathy and depression among the average person. This is a result of the permissive, amoral Woke ideology that has taken over so we see rampant drug use and associated crime, tent cities of the dispossessed and an unsustainable cost of living. Thisis the legacy of my generation of which I claim no part which made me unpopular sonI left. One person cannot resist the whole direction of society ifvthe majority eagerly embraces it. The option I had was to leave and way back in the 1980’s I couldn’t imagine what the world would be like now. Inthought people had common sense and self control but I guess not. I was more optimistic but if I had thought of the ultimate worst situation 35 years into the future from 1990 I woukd have been almost 100% correct. So now what are you going to do about it? There is no changing history and most of those cool, anti establishment, druggie hippies of my generation are dead. Most of my relatives and friends from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s are dead. Will you do better?

[@NotCoolNancy]

I vote involuntary. Stay in there forever if it means your gone

[@birdie2010]

Of course addicts & their allies are going to say this duh.. but for some folks they need it smh

[@elifowler8995]

Spoiled drug addicts who were spoiled by their parents and now they are spoiled by the government.

[@Kraken_Mybutt]

"Harm reduction" workers need junkies and safe supply to make a living, that's the truth. It is not in their financial interest to cure addicts, they will be unemployed.

[@talanlee223]

Then I guess they better get their shit together than !!

[@martymethuselah]

the weak shall know their place

[@mrselection7814]

Ahhh true words of wisdom from these wise crackheads.

[@oledudiest]

Gulags. So many roads to build up north.

[@spacewolfjr]

I recently drove by this railway-hobotown, I didn't realize it was so close to the SunRype facility. Surprisingly many of those interviewed are well spoken. I think if people want to need to change as many said the consequences of being a drug addict need to be harsher (to help sway people away from drugs) -- to me this means making naloxone illegal, spraying encampments with water hoses regularly and allowing citizens to recover stolen property directly (citizen should be allowed to use bear spray)... this serves to make being a drug addict less appealing.

[@sunshinecoasttrailcam]

These dudes need to be first

[@VengefulTruther]

Homelessness should be illegal like many other countries.

[@elietheprof5678]

Will you pay for their homes then? 🤔

[@Lamarsh67]

0 IQ comment

[@derek04151]

Let people live the lives they choose because that's what they're going to do anyway.

[@shakeypudding6563]

Yeah drug addicts are people too, lol.

[@johnwinner8511]

Yeah you can force them through thw mental health or crimnal act.

[@Kraken_Mybutt]

Only a 72 hour hold in BC, been there, tried that to get help for my brother.

[@shakellw4634]

It is jail, its a regular way police use to detain people that are considered to them as undesirable

[@Kraken_Mybutt]

People like YOU are the problem.

[@kwimms]

Correct.

[@lynngalibois1937]

100% and with the label of menta health,or an addict they take away any voice you have for the future....... oh they have mh issues don't believe them, ignore them ,etc.... The idea and goal is wellness as in "cured" but you're never treated as such again....never

[@evelynjones5037]

My opinion is that if people start to be forced into a place were they don't want to be in mass numbers BC could start to see an uprising, we don't even know how many people are affected by drugs and alcohol, you only see and talk about the homeless addicts what about the working people that have full Tome jobs but are still hooked on drugs ?? I know a lot of people with full time jobs but are addicts and are not homeless, are you hoping to force them to loss their jobs and homes because you you want to force them into treatment that they don't want ???

[@JamesBiggar]

My opinion is that you don't understand near enough about this to have an educated opinion about it yet. Keep asking questions.

[@funtimedude1]

Harsher sentences for possession. Harsher sentences for leaving hazardous waste around [needles[. Fed jail or treatment.

[@evelynjones5037]

I was an addict in the 80,s and have been sober fir over 39 years so don't tell me I don't understand

[@evelynjones5037]

@@JamesBiggar do you understand have you ever had any tube of addiction?? Have you ever been homeless?? Until you have walked in their shies you will never understand My Opinion

[@jasonlauritsen5587]

You're ignorant. Do you actually think they're gonna do anything other than drugs and crimes to acquire drugs? Serious question.

[@RobertKoberinski-yc3ps]

Why is gonna be in correctional facilities?

[@Thunderstick-y8h]

Because these people are dangerous , some of them are violent, some are sex offenders.

[@Kraken_Mybutt]

Our health care system has been gutted so terribly, there is no help for addicts. No nurses, no doctors and no facilities

[@shawnpaquette5835]

So new facilities don't need to be built at taxpayer expense. It makes sense to me. They have facilities, nurses, doctors, guards etc.

[@elietheprof5678]

Prison or rehab cost far more than just giving them homes.

[@direction88]

Sounds like a case for outsourcing to the private sector, I love it.

[@evelynjones5037]

IMy Opinion I agree 100% this is Canada not China, Russia nor is it North Korea, We have charter rights and you cannot force someone into treatment just because it makes your province look better, I am not a drug addict but they are Canadian Citizens and have rights, why not put the mass illegal immigrants in jail??? If their only crime is being poor ,homeless and an addict then give them housing, treatment if they choose and a job, help them beat their addiction don't try and force your idolighy and what makes you feel better, why are we paying 100,s of Millions for illegal immigrants and nothing for Canadaians?

[@kwimms]

Is there an argument here or just silly excuses for these bums?

[@johnd8596]

Wandering around the streets aimlessly high off drugs with your pants full of s*** is not a right

[@anitae]

You can force them if it has turned into a mental illness.

[@k.elysium6819]

​@@kwimmsTheir argument is obvious. The second they start stealing from people, they can be locked up. High fines for littering. That would help. If they are just sitting there minding their own business, they have a right not to be locked up. They aren't all bad. The ones who steal are ruining it for the ones that don't. Many functioning addicts work. We don't need police stopping and searching random people. That's a serious violation of rights.

[@elietheprof5678]

@@kwimms Bro you don’t get to take away basic rights & freedoms just because someone is a bum.

[@alelectric2767]

Sounds like it but it’s not. However, since they are actually breaking the law we could just put them in prison. Also I like how they think they can do whatever the F they want. Too funny.

[@fuggetaboutit123]

Send them all to jail !

[@Lamarsh67]

There is so much ignorance in the comments it's astonishing. Of course people don't want to be forced into treatment nor is it right that they should be anyway. Drug use, mental health, homelessness, and crime are a complex set of interconnected issues and you'd be hard pressed to not find at least two of these concurrently in an affected person. It's just sad that there's no compassion for these people and addiction is so terribly misunderstood that we write them off entirely and just want them put away somewhere. They're all humans, they all have rights, just like you. There are much larger and widespread issues that need to be addressed, but people would rather focus on the symptoms of a broken society/system than look at the actual causes.

[@sharonstone-bh1zp]

So why are the general public "forced " to take care of these people. If they want to be a drug addict, then they have the "right" to live under their own ospices and follow the laws as we all do - no exceptions. They can't live on the streets or in parks, just like the rest of us can't etc.

[@k.elysium6819]

Nobody is forcing you to take care of them. Just ignore them, as long as they stay off your property.

[@sharonstone-bh1zp]

@@k.elysium6819 We are forced , through our taxes, to participate in supplying their drugs etc.

[@meltuc2594]

There comes a time in our lives where we need more help than one could imagine. I would estimate 50 -60% of hard core drug users are beyond return and we as a society could / should comfort their lives while addressing a serious situation.

[@kwimms]

Sure... why not take a few into your home mister helpful.

[@gailflorence2007]

Who wears a paper clip on their face. Duh

[@kathycazes5698]

She’s making something, with the cord and scissors. I’d guess some kind of macrame, hence the paper clip to act as a third hand. She stuck it in her hair and forgot, I expect.

[@dopecat_truecrime]

@@kathycazes5698 She's a methhead and insane.

[@realliving9253]

I gotta cheaper solution!

[@dopecat_truecrime]

Ban Narcan!

[@elietheprof5678]

Give them homes.

[@fenrir4592]

Cool fine no more narcan problem will solve its self

[@jamesbilodeau8188]

Poor babies, suck it up and deal with yourselves!

[@ianrasmussen9203]

Ok I like the sound of it 😊 let's do it please enough is enough let's move forward or we just stop all of the support and money we're wasting and see what happens they want to live free and on the streets then let with out the taxpayers money 💵

[@ledacedar6253]

Vote BC CONSERVATIVES JOHN RUSTAD for freedoms & a politician with intelligence & humanity in tact! Control needs to begin with the lost souls, with incentives like affordable housing units once sober & stabilized!

[@sunrise1975italia]

And who would like to rent place to people on drugs ? Or alcoholics ?

[@kwimms]

Sounds EXACTLY like the NDP's platform a few years ago... what's the difference? Just voting in politicians ... different face... same bs.

[@sotthapana]

No way! John Rustad is a bigoted POS. We don't need neanderthals running our province. David Eby is doing pretty well.

[@elietheprof5678]

@@sunrise1975italia it’s called public housing