Witnessing public drug use is becoming more common in DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a friggin major metropolitan city where the hell are you people from why are you so surprised what the hell kind of absurd utopian fantasies did you have of life in the big city?
Did expect to see no poverty, no crime, no drug use, just everybody well-to-do and neighborly and out having picnics all the time?

Geezus you folks have some warped expectations.

I’ve lived in major cities for almost 30 years. There was a marked uptick in public drug use/ODs and public sales starting around 2016 or so.

Uptick my ass drug use has been around and always will be. The only variation is the time you bother paying attention to the shit.
When it’s stinking down the street you don’t give it a second thought even though it’s RIGHT THERE but you ain’t sweating it cause it ain’t around you.
It ain’t until the shit starts smelling on your block that you start paying attention and suddenly think there’s an “uptick” but it’s not because the shit has always been RIGHT THERE you just wadn’t paying attention or just didn’t give a shit.
You been in cities long enough to not be so naive.

Wow... easy boy. relax. not sure who you are talking about there. I don't want to smell it anywhere... downtown, in my backyard, in my neighborhood, in Georgetown, capital hill, in my house (coming in from the pot heads next door)... If I am out in public with the Familly, I don't want us being forced to inhale your lifestyle choices.

And NO i did not vote for Trump the first time, or the second, and NO I am not a Republican.

[Anonymous]

I have noticed a lot of pot smoking on my evening pandemic walks. Yes I walked pre pandemic, but I am more of a regular walker now. Anyway, lots of cars pulled to the side of the road as if parked with pot smoke curling out. Funny thing is that it is often near the Cathedral on Woodley. People just pull to the side in a parking spot. Get out of their car. Lean on the hood and light up staring at the Cathedral.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also noticed police officers are now being paid to just sit in their cars and fiddle with their phones. Especially the case after some crime activity. They just sit there, doing nothing while people are running lights etc.

I’m sure you wish they were rather pulling over and hassling young Black men, don’t ya?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a friggin major metropolitan city where the hell are you people from why are you so surprised what the hell kind of absurd utopian fantasies did you have of life in the big city?
Did expect to see no poverty, no crime, no drug use, just everybody well-to-do and neighborly and out having picnics all the time?

Geezus you folks have some warped expectations.

I’ve lived in major cities for almost 30 years. There was a marked uptick in public drug use/ODs and public sales starting around 2016 or so.

Uptick my ass drug use has been around and always will be. The only variation is the time you bother paying attention to the shit.
When it’s stinking down the street you don’t give it a second thought even though it’s RIGHT THERE but you ain’t sweating it cause it ain’t around you.
It ain’t until the shit starts smelling on your block that you start paying attention and suddenly think there’s an “uptick” but it’s not because the shit has always been RIGHT THERE you just wadn’t paying attention or just didn’t give a shit.
You been in cities long enough to not be so naive.

Wow... easy boy. relax. not sure who you are talking about there. I don't want to smell it anywhere... downtown, in my backyard, in my neighborhood, in Georgetown, capital hill, in my house (coming in from the pot heads next door)... If I am out in public with the Familly, I don't want us being forced to inhale your lifestyle choices.

And NO i did not vote for Trump the first time, or the second, and NO I am not a Republican.

Sure. Right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the Columbia heights area. on 14th, near columbia rd, there seems to be an open air drug market. Everyone is smoking, rolling. Police just ignore it. It is incredible.

I was on 14th and U street intersection looking at my phone and a police officer standing nearby told me to put it away because somebody would probably try to steal it. I was like... uuuh, aren't you supposed to arrest people like that? Where should I be using my phone if not right next to a police officer?

Where are you from? I grew up in dc and have spent most of my life here or in other cities. I think it’s commons sense that you don’t take out your phone on the street.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the Columbia heights area. on 14th, near columbia rd, there seems to be an open air drug market. Everyone is smoking, rolling. Police just ignore it. It is incredible.

I was on 14th and U street intersection looking at my phone and a police officer standing nearby told me to put it away because somebody would probably try to steal it. I was like... uuuh, aren't you supposed to arrest people like that? Where should I be using my phone if not right next to a police officer?

Where are you from? I grew up in dc and have spent most of my life here or in other cities. I think it’s commons sense that you don’t take out your phone on the street.

What? Everybody is glued to their phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the Columbia heights area. on 14th, near columbia rd, there seems to be an open air drug market. Everyone is smoking, rolling. Police just ignore it. It is incredible.

I was on 14th and U street intersection looking at my phone and a police officer standing nearby told me to put it away because somebody would probably try to steal it. I was like... uuuh, aren't you supposed to arrest people like that? Where should I be using my phone if not right next to a police officer?

Where are you from? I grew up in dc and have spent most of my life here or in other cities. I think it’s commons sense that you don’t take out your phone on the street.

What? Everybody is glued to their phone.

And it’s not a smart thing to do, nor is walking around with your earbuds in.

[Anonymous]

Everytime i leave the house you smell pot in DC. Driving, or walking, or biking. You see cars pulled off on side of the road filled with smoke. There is absolutely no enforcement of the laws.

It is so refreshing to go to Maryland or Virginia. At least you get a break for the stench until you get back into the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everytime i leave the house you smell pot in DC. Driving, or walking, or biking. You see cars pulled off on side of the road filled with smoke. There is absolutely no enforcement of the laws.

It is so refreshing to go to Maryland or Virginia. At least you get a break for the stench until you get back into the city.

+1. It is completely out of control now. I notice it most coming from the open windows of vehicles at stop lights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last night, we had a car stop near our house and the man was pounding himself and yelling like an animal. We were not sure if there was someone else in the car and someone was being beaten or not, but we called the police (who never showed up of course). We suspected it was drugs.

We have been seeing more and more people inebriated, on drugs, hallucinating, shooting up etc. Some really scary incidents where people seem completely out of control yelling and hitting things. This is not even talking about the rampant public marijuana use which the police, mayor, and Councilmembers have decided not to enforce (YES it is still illegal to smoke in public).

Has anyone noticed a pattern here in DC of increased public drug use?

There is a number you can call for wellness checks for people acting insane. Also, call 311 (non 911 hotline). Call BOTH. Put them in your phone.


Community Response Team
The DBH Community Response Team (CRT), is a 24-7 multidisciplinary direct service team that expands our community based direct service efforts—including homeless outreach, mobile crisis, and pre-arrest diversion. Our CRT supports adults who are experiencing emotional, psychiatric or substance use vulnerabilities to promote service engagement and overall behavioral health and wellness.

These supports are provided through assessment, referral, short term care management, and follow-up for individuals across the District. CRT also provides community education, individual and neighborhood outreach, behavioral health consultation, short term support for critical incidents, in addition to co-response and intervention support for our partner agencies and community organizations.

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[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Open pot smoking has gone through the roof since it was 'decriminalized'.

Well, no duh. What did you expect?

[Anonymous]

If pot smoke bothers you, you need to avoid the Petworth Library parking lot after school gets out for the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think people should be reminded that smoking marijuana is a privilege that shouldn’t be misused. Is it possible the city could mount some kind of civic campaign to teach people the correct way and places to smoke?

This is a much better idea than either putting up with it or whining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people should be reminded that smoking marijuana is a privilege that shouldn’t be misused. Is it possible the city could mount some kind of civic campaign to teach people the correct way and places to smoke?

This is a much better idea than either putting up with it or whining.

I think those of us who voted yes 100% expected that to be part of the responsible roll out. Things like education campaigns, tax revenue raised used for treatment, clear boundaries (enforced) on where/when. Instead its been a free for all fail. Either the city and the original proponents of the change can jump into action and see to that and more, or the following will happen: people will view all other "decriminalization" movements, such as initiatives around prostitution or schrooms unfavorably. #2 there will be cause and call for a repeal.