Why Drazan is My Pick for Governor

For several years now, we have tried to address homelessness using the Housing First model as well as the harm reduction model. Neither one worked. Completely a failure. The sad fact about this is that real people have literally lost their lives due to these very liberal policies.

The Housing First model doesn’t require a person to embrace recovery, but rather puts people into housing with little to no conditions. I have personally seen the Housing First model fail time and time again. Often, the person is too mentally ill to take care of an apartment and the responsibilities that go with being a tenant.

I recently watched a 35 year old man abandon his housing due to a mental health crisis. The apartment he left had been totally trashed. The amount of garbage, flies and beer cans were unbelievable. He is just one example of someone being set up to fail. You see, his mental illness is such that he needs help with basic care, like cooking and cleaning. Putting him into an apartment by himself was a horrible idea!

The harm reduction ideology keeps addicts stuck in their addiction, as harm reduction outreach workers hand out syringes and other drug paraphernalia. As a former I.V. meth user, I think it’s important to highlight that addicts get addicted to the needle every bit as much as they do the drugs. I.V. drug use is a different kind of beast.

Christine Drazan recognizes these two programs as being unsuccessful. Her focus is
on recovery, which is exactly where it should be. Recovery works! As someone who has been homeless, embraced recovery and who now advocates for others who are experiencing homelessness, I believe in Christine Drazan’s ability to deliver what is promised.

Read More from Barbara Thayer in Voices From the Sidewalk

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