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US mayor slammed for suggesting free fentanyl to help homeless 'end suffering quickly'

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2025.07.28 19:23
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US mayor slammed for suggesting free fentanyl to help homeless 'end suffering quickly'. (DDN)

A California mayor's shocking proposal to distribute free fentanyl to homeless individuals has ignited fierce debate about how to address the state's spiraling homelessness and addiction crisis. Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris suggested the radical measure earlier this year, arguing it would provide "quick release" and potentially reduce overdose deaths among the homeless population.

The controversial idea has drawn widespread condemnation from public health experts and community members. Critics argue the plan would worsen drug abuse problems and represent an abdication of societal responsibility.

The proposal comes amid grim statistics showing fentanyl's devastating impact. Los Angeles County reported 900 homeless deaths from drug overdoses in 2023, with the synthetic opioid involved in most cases. Health officials note that homeless individuals already face significantly higher risks of premature death from chronic illnesses and mental health conditions compared to the general population.

While a small minority have defended the proposal as a pragmatic, if extreme, approach to intractable suffering, most experts maintain that proven solutions like expanded housing, mental health treatment, and job programs offer the only sustainable path forward. The backlash highlights the desperate measures some communities are considering as California struggles with overlapping crises of homelessness, addiction, and strained social services.

Public health data shows fentanyl was involved in 75% of California's more than 6,000 opioid deaths last year. The state's homeless population continues growing despite massive spending, with Los Angeles County reporting a 12% increase in 2023 alone. The debate over Mayor Parris' proposal underscores the extreme challenges facing policymakers as they search for solutions to these interconnected crises.

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Tag:·Public health·fentanyl·Rex Parris·societal responsibility

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