Los Angeles Embraces Harm Reduction for Homeless

New Skid Row Care Campus offers safe drug use supplies, addiction treatment

In a shift from punitive measures, Los Angeles County is embracing harm reduction strategies to address its large homeless population by providing resources and services at a new care campus.

Skid Row Care Campus Opens

The Skid Row Care Campus, which opened this spring, provides services like showers, laundry, and addiction treatment. Additionally, it offers clean syringes, glass pipes, and fentanyl test strips. The facility is located in a neighborhood plagued by open-air drug markets and tent encampments.

Darren Willett, director of the Center for Harm Reduction, stated that the services offered provide the safest way to use drugs, prevent overdoses, and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Harm reduction has the added benefit of improving public health. Evidence shows it can help individuals enter treatment, gain sobriety, and end their homelessness.

Harm Reduction Debate

Harm reduction allows homeless people to obtain jobs, subsidized housing, healthcare, and social services without being forced to give up drugs. Despite the potential benefits, harm reduction is hotly debated.

Los Angeles County is defying the agenda of former President Donald Trump, who has advocated for forced mental health and addiction treatment for homeless people. HHS remains focused on helping individuals recover, communities heal, and help make our cities clean, safe, and healthy once again, according to spokesperson Vianca Rodriguez Feliciano.

According to a 2023 report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, California has the highest rate of unsheltered homelessness in the U.S. at 68%. (HUD 2023)

Campus Details

The campus is funded by about $26 million a year in local, state, and federal homelessness and healthcare money. The building has 22 recovery beds and 48 additional beds for older homeless people. There are also arts and wellness programs, a food pantry, and pet care. Even bunnies and snakes are allowed.

John Wright, a harm reduction specialist, is trying to stop using fentanyl. “Everyone thinks we’re criminals, like we’re out robbing everyone, but we aren’t,” he said.

Anthony Willis, who spends his days and nights on the streets using drugs and alcohol, said that the campus could be a place to help him kick drugs, but he wasn’t sure he was ready.

Public Opinion

Los Angeles County is spending millions to combat homelessness and encourage people to use services and seek treatment. The organization is using roughly $70 million donated by Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York.

“We don’t believe people should die just because they use drugs, so we’re going to provide support any way that we can,” said Shoshanna Scholar, director of harm reduction at the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. “Eventually, some people may come in for treatment but what we really want is to prevent overdose and save lives.”

California’s Approach

Los Angeles finds itself at odds with California’s governor. Last year, California voters approved Proposition 36, which allows felony charges for some drug crimes, requires courts to warn people they could be charged with murder for selling illegal drugs that kill someone, and makes it easier to order treatment for people who use drugs.

Daniel Lurie recently ordered city officials to stop handing out free drug supplies, including pipes and foil, and instead to require participation in drug treatment to receive services.

Criticism

State Sen. Roger Niello said homeless people should be required to enter treatment in exchange for housing. “What Los Angeles is doing, I would call it harm encouragement. They’re encouraging harm by continuing to feed a habit that is, quite frankly, killing people.”

Keith Humphreys said that communities should find a balance between leniency and law enforcement. “Harm reduction and treatment both have a place, and we also need prevention and a focus on public safety.”

Cindy Ashley, who recently left a local hospital ER for a deep skin infection, learned about the new care campus and rushed over to get her name on the waiting list for housing. “I’m not going to make it out here,” she said, in tears.