Will anything ever change in D.C.? Affordability, homelessness, etc.

[Anonymous]

Been in D.C. proper for 15 years working as a paramedic. Majority of my calls at night are to respond to intoxicated and/or mentally disturbed homeless individuals. After 15 years this job is finally starting to wear me down. The lack of resources and response to the social issues in D.C. seems to be so obvious but nothing changes. It seems inequality is getting even worse with all the changes in D.C. happening.

Is there anything that will actually change with our government to respond emphatically and effectively to some of these issues? Not trying to get into a political debate but it's really disheartening what is happening in parts of the city.

[Anonymous]

DC has changed quite rapidly over the last 15 years. I’m sure it will continue to change — both in predictable and less predictable ways.
Have you considered getting a different type of job? I’m guessing that as a paramedic you’re dealing with people in crisis, and that a large part of that might include people whose traumas are exacerbated due to socio-economic issues and tensions.
Nothing will change until the people with money and power want it to change. Hint: Those people aren’t the ones in local government.

What - specifically- would you like to change OP?

[Anonymous]

Ha. OP asks question and DCUM first response is "maybe you should get a new job."

OP you are addressing the elephant in the room. DC would like to throw money at contractors and outsource this issue in order to give a level of deniability. Fortunately this means that if you have a great idea and the finds to get it off the ground, you can make some money probably.

Right now the DC solution seems to be, build homeless housing in Ward 3 and problems will go away. What we are not actually addressing the issues? That does not fit the narrative.

[Anonymous]

I was a medic in Boston for 10 years.

The job is fun but also affects you as you see so much pain, anguish, overdose, neglect....

It’s hard for it not to affect you. Most of my buddies lasted in the field for 3-7 years and went in to get degrees in PA or other medical type practices.

I know DC is a tough area, but the job anywhere will wear you down...esp if you do the overnight shift as the lack of sleep gets to you as you get older...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ha. OP asks question and DCUM first response is "maybe you should get a new job."

OP you are addressing the elephant in the room. DC would like to throw money at contractors and outsource this issue in order to give a level of deniability. Fortunately this means that if you have a great idea and the finds to get it off the ground, you can make some money probably.

Right now the DC solution seems to be, build homeless housing in Ward 3 and problems will go away. What we are not actually addressing the issues? That does not fit the narrative.

PP: Well, yes. OP says that their job is getting them down. I have also worked in in a crisis response field in multiple cities. I know how draining it can be — even when it’s work that you enjoy. While talking about change in DC is interesting, my guess is that working for 15 years as a paramedic in many places would be draining. I’m all for positive change in DC, But I also doubt that the changes in DC would radically change what it’s like to have a crisis-focused job.

[Anonymous]

I have been here on and off since the 1980s and it has been bad since then. I was shocked at the number of homeless when I moved here even then, coming from a larger city.

[Anonymous]

OP, our City Council needs to look hard at involuntary commitment and treatment. Also, as the center of govt. DC attracts a lot of paranoid /schizooid. We need to look at sending them home when possible, for care where they came from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, our City Council needs to look hard at involuntary commitment and treatment. Also, as the center of govt. DC attracts a lot of paranoid /schizooid. We need to look at sending them home when possible, for care where they came from.

I think this is not just an issue for DC. The current standard for involuntary hospitalization is “danger to self or others”. While judgement about what that means might vary, having some other standard — just in DC — will quickly lead to court cases. At this point, a huge percentage of the mentally ill population is incarcerated. There are not a lot of treatment options for people who need wraparound services, particularly for people without top tier health insurance and money and family to fill in the gaps. There’s also not a lot out there for dual diagnosis patients.

Tldr: Most cities need state and federal resources and policy changes to even begin to deal with these issues successfully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ha. OP asks question and DCUM first response is "maybe you should get a new job."

OP you are addressing the elephant in the room. DC would like to throw money at contractors and outsource this issue in order to give a level of deniability. Fortunately this means that if you have a great idea and the finds to get it off the ground, you can make some money probably.

Right now the DC solution seems to be, build homeless housing in Ward 3 and problems will go away. What we are not actually addressing the issues? That does not fit the narrative.

What’s “the narrative”? Do you mean something beyond your comment about building homeless housing?
I will say that many countries have found that treatment— even high quality treatment — without addressing the issue of stable housing, has been less than effective long term, particularly with dual diagnosis patients who have experienced long term homelessness.

[Anonymous]

Bring back mandatory minimums, three strikes sentencing, and mental asylums!

Why waste money catering to leeches?