Radio Atlantic No Easy Fix | 3. A Golden Opportunity
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Aug 14, 2025 Ethan Brooks, a reporter for The Atlantic, dives deep into the complexities of homelessness and addiction in San Francisco. The discussion highlights the pressing issue of involuntary treatment through the lens of a heartbreaking search for Evan, a missing person grappling with addiction. It critiques the effectiveness of current policies and debates the ethics of forced treatment. Personal stories reveal the emotional toll on loved ones and the struggles between recovery autonomy and the desperate need for help. A powerful exploration of hope amidst despair.
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Evan's Near-Constant Brush With Death
- Evan repeatedly overdosed and narrowly survived many times, showing how close he was to death on the street.
- His friends expected his life to end outside without decisive intervention.
Policy Swing Back Toward Forced Care
- San Francisco is expanding involuntary treatment after abandoning mass institutionalization decades ago.
- The shift reflects a policy swing from deinstitutionalization back toward forced care for some people.
Jail As A Turning Point
- Jail or forced removal has, for some, proven a turning point toward recovery.
- Sam Quinones argues incarceration can be a
