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More needs to be done to put an end to homelessness

Dear editor,

I see three types of homeless, and the associations who work with them are obviously not working out.

1. Those who want to work - need a job, bedroom and a key.  A motel might work until they are established.

2. Those addicted to drugs or alcohol - need confinement, therapy, and some training.

3. Those who suffer mentally, can and do, commit serious crimes - need a locked institution.

Some can be dangerous, and capable of killing, but refuse help. They want freedom without rules, or run away.  Smarter ones have committed a small crime to allow them to be held and force-treated ... in a locked institution, where they are happy and kept busy working. Where have our mental institutions gone? Why are we not able to force therapy?  Do we need new bylaws?

Why are they in the larger cities like Vancouver and Toronto where none of us can afford to live?  Are criminals given rights and freedoms while our sweet parents (seniors) are forced, often neglected and abused? Who needs to sign for a “drugged criminal” to be committed?

Give the associations power or replace them.  This is a large enough province to find space to house our homeless.  Help those in need of a locked institution, in any city.  Those in need of work should be easier to place.  Please do something now, and stop the “talking” and looking for magic. Set down a system with rules.

Once this is solved, you may consider following with a system all across Canada. Some people keep moving from city to city.  One type of system with the same protocol and rules: Always a place to stay, with food and therapy; bylaws stating that loitering is prohibited here (in Canada); a home for everyone, and everyone in their place.

Mary Dicerni

 

Courtenay