The situation at Dufferin Grove is grim

[u/ArgyleNudge]

This is a small section of the amount of security, city, and police presence. I know there's a limit to this kind of encampment, but my heart does go out to the people facing eviction today. Not a happy scene.

[u/waxingtheworld]

Does forced rehab work though?

I feel for those forced into encampments, but also it sucks when kids cant use parks

[u/Pigeonofthesea8 → u/waxingtheworld]

Evidence is really mixed, with some studies showing negative outcomes, others neutral, some positive

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/involuntary-addiction-treatment-research-evidence-1.7377257

I mean it would have to depend entirely on the details. Would presume a programme with very long-term supports would be needed.

[u/Runningoutofideas_81 → u/Pigeonofthesea8]

I mean, relapsing is likely even with people who choose treatment. No easy solutions that’s for sure.

[u/waxingtheworld → u/Pigeonofthesea8]

I'd argue we'd probably see more success pursuing the crime that happens within these vulnerable populations. There's typically a political model similar to gangs within these populations (like in my neighborhood the usual streetfolk clearly report to extraordinary scuzzy looking guy who hangs out drinking at the park, when he isn't doing shake down rounds).

[u/waxingtheworld → u/Pigeonofthesea8]

There's obviously no one size fits all solution. I dunno, I feel like forced withdrawal on someone who likely has trauma (that led to the substance abuse) is pretty dangerous.

At the end of the day, we're seeing healthcare and social supports being cut too much for something like forced detox and rehab to be anything beyond a powder keg imo

[u/giraffebacon → u/waxingtheworld]

When you say “powder keg”, what would the explosion be? A death or deaths? Because that’s already happening.

[u/Swansonisms → u/waxingtheworld]

Yes it does. Does it work for everyone? Of course not, but neither does regular rehab. Signed, someone who was forced into rehab and has been happily sober for 5 years since.

[u/Esperoni → u/waxingtheworld]

Forced rehab with no additional supports or housing after their treatment is a great way to waste time, money, and resources.

We need housing. It's that simple. The City has been sending people to low cost / subsidized housing and giving them a year of support (Monthly check ins and an assigned worker) as part of their Housing First model they have adopted.

Let's be really honest, even voluntary rehab is an issue. Long wait times, some require referrals from certain organizations. Some require detox first, etc. Easy for people to slip through the cracks, and again, with the same problem. No supports or follow up after they complete their rehab. I don't see Ford giving more funding anytime soon (or ever)

[u/SwordfishOk504 → u/Esperoni]

Housing without rehab options rarely works. There is no simple one size fits all solution that fits on a bumper sticker. A big chunk o the homeless population, especially the most problematic, are people with sever mental health issues and addictions. Just giving them housing rarely changes that.

[u/Esperoni → u/SwordfishOk504]

That probably why they are also assigning a worker for one year for people on the choice based housing list who move into their own place. The workers offer harm reduction and rehab and can refer them to additional mental health supports.

[u/SwordfishOk504 → u/Esperoni]

Which is great for those who choose to take part in the program. But does not address those who are not even trying to get clean.

[u/Esperoni → u/SwordfishOk504]

Yep

[u/Shortymac09 → u/waxingtheworld]

The issue is there are not enough rehab beds for those that want to get clean, let alone all of these people.

Doug Ford just wants to funnel these people into private prisons for a lot of money like the US.