Morning Wire California's Struggle with Homelessness and Addiction | Saturday Extra
Oct 7, 2023
California is grappling with escalating issues of homelessness and addiction. The CARE Act emerges as a significant policy proposal aimed at aiding severely mentally ill individuals. Personal stories, like that of Tom Wolf, highlight the arduous journey of recovery. The debate over cash assistance and drug testing in San Francisco raises tough questions about support for the vulnerable. Meanwhile, the alarming shift from prescription painkillers to fentanyl intensifies the crisis, revealing profound systemic failures and the pressing need for effective solutions.
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Tom Wolfe's Descent into Homelessness
- Tom Wolfe's addiction started with prescribed oxycodone after foot surgery, escalating to street pills and heroin.
- This led to homelessness in San Francisco, driven by a $210/day pill habit.
Path to Recovery through Accountability
- Multiple arrests for holding drugs led to jail time, where Tom Wolfe got clean.
- He then entered a Salvation Army treatment program, finding sobriety and starting his recovery journey.
Staying Clean: Spirituality and Family
- Tom Wolfe attributes his sustained sobriety to finding spirituality and a renewed sense of purpose.
- His desire to reunite with his family motivated him to stay clean.