Santa Monica, renowned for its picturesque coastline, vibrant arts scene, and cultural richness, has long epitomized the California dream. People from around the world have flocked to our city to bask in its allure, drawing inspiration from the Hollywood lifestyle and the iconic Santa Monica Pier. However, the recent surge in homelessness and drug addiction has plunged our city into a crisis, transforming our once-thriving community into a shadow of its former self.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, leaving our streets overwhelmed with individuals suffering from severe drug addiction, particularly to substances like fentanyl and heroin. This crisis is not just negatively impacting tourism and local businesses; it is destroying them. More critically, it is devastating the quality of life for residents. Santa Monica feels like a land of zombies, with people visibly suffering from drug-induced psychosis attacking others or lying in their own vomit. In the early mornings, these individuals awaken with a desperate, opportunistic focus on finding ways to get food, drugs, or commit crimes.
This environment creates a highly dangerous and uncomfortable situation for Santa Monica’s 95,000 residents. The tourism that once thrived in the city has plummeted, and commercial enterprises, such as those in the famous Santa Monica Promenade and the Santa Monica Place shopping district, are becoming ghost towns. The city’s obsession to build housing to solve mental illness and drug addiction associated with a transient homeless population is misguided, incredibly expensive and further exacerbates the degradation of our quality of life and economic vitality. The degradation of the city’s infrastructure and vibrant downtown area is a direct result of policies that fail to address the root causes of homelessness and addiction, leading to an overall crumbling of the community’s fabric.
Proposed solution: Reinstating asylums
The deinstitutionalization of mental health facilities in California has had long-lasting effects on urban areas, leading to increased homelessness and crime. Reinstating asylums could provide structured, humane care for individuals who are unable to function in society due to severe mental illness. This would involve reopening or repurposing former asylum facilities to house and treat these individuals, thereby reducing the burden on urban areas and improving public safety.
Correlation between past and present
In the 1980s, a significant portion of the population requiring mental health care was institutionalized, providing them with necessary treatment and removing them from the streets. For instance, facilities like Patton State Hospital and Agnews State Hospital housed thousands of patients, ensuring they received continuous care away from the public eye. Comparatively, today’s homeless population includes a large percentage of individuals who would have been institutionalized under the previous system. In Santa Monica and Los Angeles, the visible crisis of homelessness and drug addiction can be traced directly to the absence of such structured care facilities.
Impact and closure
By the 1980s, many of these facilities were closed due to allegations of mistreatment and a shift towards deinstitutionalization. The closure led to a significant increase in the number of mentally ill individuals without adequate support, contributing to the current homelessness crisis. The political will to reinstate these institutions could be driven by showcasing the correlation between past percentages of institutionalized individuals and current homelessness statistics. This comparison highlights the critical need for a return to effective, humane treatment options.
Humanitarian and public safety benefits
Reinstating asylums could provide a humane solution, offering appropriate medical and psychological care while enhancing the quality of life for residents and reducing crime rates. This approach requires careful planning, funding, and political support to ensure humane and effective treatment for those in need.
Call to action for upcoming elections
With the 2024 elections approaching, particularly for the Santa Monica City Council, it is crucial for residents to recognize that their vote is the only way to enact meaningful change. We need fresh blood on the City Council with a united commitment to revitalizing our city and addressing the homelessness crisis. This is not about taking control from anyone or casting blame, but about bringing in new leadership that can implement effective, compassionate solutions.
Conclusion
The ongoing homelessness and drug addiction crisis in Santa Monica and Los Angeles can be traced back to the deinstitutionalization of mental health care facilities in the 1980s. Reinstating asylums offers a viable solution to manage severe mental illness, improve public safety, and restore the quality of life for residents. It’s time to reconsider and revive the asylum system to protect our communities and provide better care for those who cannot function in society.
Daniel Gregory
