Whether people like to admit it or not, things in life are largely a matter of perspective. While life itself is subject to natural laws and objective reality, how we interpret those laws and reality depends upon how we view them.
I recently sat in a meeting in which the folks present were discussing the successes and failures of an “affordable housing” complex. We discussed this complex at great length. I know the environment in which the residents live, as I have had to intervene within some serious situations. There are fights and heavy drug use (fentanyl/meth). I’ve even had to investigate whether or not a resident was housing a missing person.
Whenever I am at this complex, I have to protect myself at all times. The residents are free to do as they choose. There are very little sanctions or adverse consequences for those residents who violate the terms of their leases. Most violations involve drug trafficking, but since drug use isn’t a violation, no one cares.
As a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, I see heavy drug use and violence as triggers for those residents who carry a history of PTSD and/or substance abuse. Many of those residents have approached me and asked that I intervene somehow, as they do not feel safe. I’ve tried. But nothing really changes.
Yet, in the meeting, the team decided that the overall mission of this complex is successful. They argue that without the complex, several people would become unhoused and forced to live on the streets. While I can’t argue that there are residents who do the best they can and pay their rent on time and follow the rules, they are at-risk of all sorts of crap.
Those who flout the rules and do as they please harm the entire complex and the greater community. They have created an unsafe environment and, basically, have run of the place with little to no regard for their neighbors. Because of the propensity to allow a free for all, I think this particular instance of “affordable housing” is an abysmal failure. Yet, I was a sole voice in that particular meeting. The rest of the team lauded it as a success.
I have to remind myself, every day, that it all comes down to perspective. However, no amount of perspective shifting will make me see that fentanyl use and distribution is ok. To me, it’s not and never will be. Perspective be damned.
