Thank you for naming this clearly. When outreach groups set up in or near school zoes, it also sends the message that no space is truly off-limits and that erodes community safety and trust. What we’re asking for is reasonable, measurable, and widely supported.
Thanks for building on this. A ban on distribution in residential zones is a logical extension of the school zone conversation. Public health efforts shouldn’t override the right of residents to feel safe where they live.
Agreed with the indoor thinking. Isn't data collection, to understand health impacts, and rehabilitation counseling part of a comprehensive "harm reduction" strategy that serves an entire society - not just the addicted segment?
City of Portland, Multnomah County, get serious about this very dangerous epidemic.
Absolutely agree with you. True harm reduction strategies should serve the whole community, not just the segment in crisis. A comprehensive approach would include data collection (and that data be publicly available and regularly published) connection to services (at every contact with every nonprofit) and a pathway out from the very first point of trackable contact with the homeless industrial monster of a system we keep feeding.
Michelle - would it be impactful to start some sort of signed petition for this effort? What I am finding (in regards to other issues as well) is that our individual communications to the people who are supposed to represent us (the ones you’ve listed above) seem to largely be ignored. I’m thinking it would be harder to ignore a formal “cease and desist” demand from thousands of residents. I don’t personally know too many people at this point (outside of non profits and assorted enablers) who don’t agree that public distribution of drug paraphernalia is wrong and unwanted. It seems odd to type since this seems like such basic common sense, but alas, our government doesn’t operate that way.
I’d like to second the notion that it makes no sense to openly distribute drug supplies anywhere, obviously school zones included.This simply does not need to be done outside of an indoor, clinical setting (if it must be done at all). Let’s stop the deranged pandering to drug addicts in this city PLEASE.
So-called "harm reduction" should be done indoors only, not in school zones, not in residential neighborhoods, not downtown or any other business district, not anywhere. Patrols of those who wish to help addicts should help them access clinic type settings, where they can get treatment. If they refuse, that's their choice. These groups should administer Narcan when they find someone overdosing, but stop enabling the drug use that is destroying our city as well as the addicts themselves. Don't try to shove it to somewhere else, ruining someone else's neighborhood. Time for a little tough love, not the deluded, actually inhumane enabling. If we need more funding for drug clinics, find it! If City government hadn't sat by and allowed the deterioration that has driven businesses from the city, maybe they would have more cash on hand. Make some tough decisions, and get it done.
Your comments are so right on. I am happy to help with your efforts. Joleen Classen
The city should ban distribution of drug supplies in or near school zones.
Why? So addicts don’t come to school zones for supplies and to shoot up. #Commonsense
Thank you for naming this clearly. When outreach groups set up in or near school zoes, it also sends the message that no space is truly off-limits and that erodes community safety and trust. What we’re asking for is reasonable, measurable, and widely supported.
Follow-up on Bob Weinstein's suggestion: The City should ban distribution of drug supplies in all residential zones.
Thanks for building on this. A ban on distribution in residential zones is a logical extension of the school zone conversation. Public health efforts shouldn’t override the right of residents to feel safe where they live.
Agreed with the indoor thinking. Isn't data collection, to understand health impacts, and rehabilitation counseling part of a comprehensive "harm reduction" strategy that serves an entire society - not just the addicted segment?
City of Portland, Multnomah County, get serious about this very dangerous epidemic.
Absolutely agree with you. True harm reduction strategies should serve the whole community, not just the segment in crisis. A comprehensive approach would include data collection (and that data be publicly available and regularly published) connection to services (at every contact with every nonprofit) and a pathway out from the very first point of trackable contact with the homeless industrial monster of a system we keep feeding.
Michelle - would it be impactful to start some sort of signed petition for this effort? What I am finding (in regards to other issues as well) is that our individual communications to the people who are supposed to represent us (the ones you’ve listed above) seem to largely be ignored. I’m thinking it would be harder to ignore a formal “cease and desist” demand from thousands of residents. I don’t personally know too many people at this point (outside of non profits and assorted enablers) who don’t agree that public distribution of drug paraphernalia is wrong and unwanted. It seems odd to type since this seems like such basic common sense, but alas, our government doesn’t operate that way.
I’d like to second the notion that it makes no sense to openly distribute drug supplies anywhere, obviously school zones included.This simply does not need to be done outside of an indoor, clinical setting (if it must be done at all). Let’s stop the deranged pandering to drug addicts in this city PLEASE.
So-called "harm reduction" should be done indoors only, not in school zones, not in residential neighborhoods, not downtown or any other business district, not anywhere. Patrols of those who wish to help addicts should help them access clinic type settings, where they can get treatment. If they refuse, that's their choice. These groups should administer Narcan when they find someone overdosing, but stop enabling the drug use that is destroying our city as well as the addicts themselves. Don't try to shove it to somewhere else, ruining someone else's neighborhood. Time for a little tough love, not the deluded, actually inhumane enabling. If we need more funding for drug clinics, find it! If City government hadn't sat by and allowed the deterioration that has driven businesses from the city, maybe they would have more cash on hand. Make some tough decisions, and get it done.