President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) Thursday vowing to "end crime and disorder" by pushing cities to clear homeless camps and facilitating institutionalization for people with mental health and substance use disorders.
The order was met with both support and pushback from politicians and organizational leaders in Oregon. However the federal government is limited in how it can enforce a directive like that at a state level.
Trump's order vows to push for more involuntary commitment of homeless people whom he claims are mostly addicted to substances and/or struggling with mental illnesses.
Though the EO does not cite sources for the claim, it appears to originate from a 2023 University of California San Francisco (UCSF) survey of 3,200 homeless people in the state of California.
"Nearly two-thirds of homeless individuals report having regularly used hard drugs like methamphetamines, cocaine, or opioids in their lifetimes. An equally large share of homeless individuals reported suffering from mental health conditions," the EO claims.
The study also indicated two thirds, or 65% of its participants indicated they had a period in their life when they regularly used drugs. The study is not a representative sample of nationwide homelessness but rather a survey meant to assess homelessness within the state of California. The study also does not corelate drug use as the reason for becoming homeless. In fact, it cites the most common reasons for becoming homeless as economic in nature, and notes that many began using drugs after becoming homeless.
"Shifting homeless individuals into long-term institutional settings for humane treatment through the appropriate use of civil commitment will restore public order. Surrendering our cities and citizens to disorder and fear is neither compassionate to the homeless nor other citizens. My Administration will take a new approach focused on protecting public safety," Trump's EO states.
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