Rumors among homeless people are like rumors anywhere else — as often unfounded or overblown as not. Nonetheless, persistent rumors that drug use and overdoses have occurred with increasing frequency at the Stanislaus Recovery Center (SRC) in Ceres seemed worth an inquiry, so on December 8 we asked about them via an email to Stanislaus County CEO Jody Hayes and Supervisor Mani Grewal. As yet, we’ve had no answers. SRC serves residents of Stanislaus County.
We already knew that staff shortages and lack of capacity at SRC had resulted in high stress for workers in a facility designed to treat both mental illness and drug addiction and sometimes both at once as “co-occurring” disorders. It wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if drug use within the facility were one result of an overburdened staff.
We also asked how many seriously mentally ill homeless people were currently on the streets of Modesto and how many applicants had been denied access to Stanislaus County’s low barrier shelter. Our reasons for asking these questions were simple: We want to make clear to residents of Modesto and Stanislaus County that our region lacks sufficient capacity to manage the growing homeless problem in Stanislaus County, and especially in Modesto.
People on the ground working with homelessness — outreach workers, health professionals, volunteers and others — have known for years that there is insufficient capacity to treat the needs of homeless people in general, and most especially the mentally ill and those with drug problems. Nonetheless, most have been hesitant to speak truthfully about these problems, especially those employed by the county and non-profits.
Reluctance to speak honestly stems from the knowledge that the official position on homeless is that “help is available for those who want it.” Admitting there isn’t enough help— telling the truth — amounts to insubordination.
Last year, Stanislaus County added “accountability” to its list of tactics for managing homelessness. People on the ground wondered how disabled, mentally ill, and destitute people could be held accountable for anything, given their disabilities. Since then, we’ve learned “accountability” means chasing people with nowhere to go from place to place in a remorseless campaign of daily harassment and rising cruelty, especially as winter brings heavy rains and freezing temperatures.
Meanwhile, in yet another ironic finding among many, the Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury found that the county’s attempts to manage homelessness have wasted money and “lack accountability.” The county’s failure to answer our questions about overdoses and numbers of mentally ill people on the streets is yet another example of that lack of accountability.
Even as homeless numbers rise and people die on our streets, Stanislaus County Supervisors continue to dodge accountability and evade facts. These same supervisors will tell those still naïve enough to believe them that they value truth and transparency in government. The facts say otherwise.
When an entity lays out it’s policy for citizen recipients or consumers to count on, as in “accountability,” which the GRAND JURY found lack of, and, transparency, as Stanislaus County and Modesto citizens find lack of, that would amount to FRAUD on WE THE CITIZENS.
How long are the FRAUDSTERs going to continue DEFRAUDING us? How long are they WE going to SWALLOW our rage? Does not the GRAND JURY finding gift citizens with more than confirming what we could gather our own selves? Why did they bother to do the investigation they did? So we could say, “We told you so?”
What can the GRAND JURY finding be used for to assist and support the REHUMANIZING PROCESS of our fellow HOUSELESS neighbors, who deserve all our dignity, unimpeded safe grounds for vehicles and dwellings, toilets, clean running water, showers, place to prep meals, adequate limited storage, and dumpsters to maintain healthy hygiene.
It can be done…
We are all spiritually sick running around this planet either trying to heal or further destroy. This equates to a godless system in which all suffer. Until we turn to the one true God of all for direction, everything we do is futile. If I know not what our Creator’s plan is for me and His ultimate plan for this world….then I have nothing fruitful to offer this world. No religion, no bible can save!!
Dear Debra Gaestel:
I can agree to a certain extent, yet, the bible, does explain what the Creator’s plan is. While applying His plan, He wants us to treat others as we ourselves want to be treated. And, do this with love…
We are not all sick, spiritually, I suggest you do not give in to that lie. We are to heal, and make peace, so by default we do not destroy.
May Almighty God quide us away from futility. His Word renews our minds. May His peace excel all our thoughts.
We are all Almighty God’s people, so turning back toward our Maker, rather than turning away from Him, for direction, is where The Path begins. Otherwise, the road, leading off The Path, and onto destruction is spacious. We do this one step at a time: commissions or ommissions…
May we be blessed, one and all, by His wisdom…
Thank you for that. It was so beautifully stated. We can all work together towards a greater good by humbling ourselves and help with love, positivity, kindness as Jesus wants us to do and God commands us to do. Never doubt the power of the almighty father
Perfectly said
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I live In a rehab place and we have had 50 overdoses or more I’ve seen at least 10 dead body’s. Management and cops knew and know of the dealers and overdoses and yet still let them live here with kids. One neighbor was dead for days on fentynl no one cared
AND THIS IS WHAT OUR DRUG ADDICTED HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN THEY CHOOSE TO SEEK HELP.
SOME INCENTIVE!
A SHODDY MISMANAGED REHAB.
I HAVE KNOWN ABOUT SOME OF THESE SO-CALLED REHAB PLACES WHERE SOMETHING AWFULLY FISHY IS GOING DOWN, YET, THEY ARE ALLOWED TO STAY IN UNPROFESSIONAL BUSINESS, AND RECEIVE TAXPAYER FUNDING. RUMOR HAS IT THEY KNOW A FRIENDLY POLICE OFFICER WHOSE NAME ALONE GETS THEM INTO THE RACKET.
SAD TO HEAR IT IS STILL ALLOWED TO GO ON AFTER 15+ YEARS, SINCE I HEARD. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THESE. THE DRUGS CIRCULATING NOW ACCOUNT FOR MORE DEATHS, PERIOD.
BUT ADD TO THAT A NUMBER OF KNOWN LOCATIONS THAT CAN EASILY AMOUNT TO STOPS ON A RUN FOR DRUG PUSHERS, SHOOTING GALLERIES, AND FLOP HOUSES, WHERE HAPHAZARD MEALS GET THROWN TOGETHER BY A ROOMY UNTIL THE FOOD RUNS OUT.
WHY WOULD ANONYMOUS STICK AROUND? DESPERATE PEOPLE PUT UP WITH A LOT, RATHER THAN LIVE ON THE STREETS. CONTRARY TO POPULAR OPINION, PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO LIVE OUT ON THE STREETS, SO PUT UP AND SHUT UP. I TOOK ANONYMOUS’s COMMENT AS A CRY FOR HELP. WHERE ELSE CAN ANONYMOUS LOCATE WARM, DRY LIVING QUARTERS AND MEALS WITHOUT ALL THE DRAMA? NO WHERE.
THERE ARE ALWAYS SOME WHO GET DRAWN IN UNDER THE FALSE PRETENSE THAT THEY WILL GET REHAB HELP. WHEN SOCIETY DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MORE PEOPLE DO NOT GET OFF DRUGS, HERE IS A PRIME EXAMPLE.
TOO MANY THUGS HAVE A HAND OUT FOR THE EASY MONEY, GIVEN OUT TO MAKE (BELIEVE) SHIFT REHAB GROUP HOMES, AND I WILL GO SO FAR AS TO STATE: DRUG TASK FORCE UNITS HAVE THEIR SHARE OF THUGS, AS WELL. I HAVE WITNESSED MUCH. AS HAS ANONYMOUS. PERHAPS ANONYMOUS COULD TELL US MORE IF COULD DO SO WITHOUT GIVING OWN IDENTITY AWAY.
My name is Albert and my fiance Sylvia and I our currently homeless, however by God’s grace we are not on drugs and I am currently working thanks to God and city council member Rebecka Monez,Yes there is a crises in our homeless community however its not all because of a lack of duty by Turlock city council, I am a living witness and proof that the Mayor and city council members are doing a damn good job of doing there best, we can’t blame people in office,when in actuality it is the responsibility of all Stanislaus County Residents, we all need to help in any way possible, a blanket,a sleeping bag,a tent, it’s easy to point the finger at people, but let’s all be honest,what are we all doing as a whole in our community. We see homeless people and avoid them,we tend to think there all on drugs and all they want is your money,NOT TRUE!..If you feel that way then buy them a meal..One simple act of kindness can change a person’s life..Sylvia and I are living testimonies of the act of kindness of just one person who listened to God and had compassion..THANK YOU MRS.MONEZ..because of God and you we will have a real Christmas!
May God continue continue to bless you and your wife dont give up your time is near to be blessed the struggle gives us a heart of gold
Albert and Sylvia:
Amen!
Your comment is an act of kindness: speaking truth to those who have eyes to see.
What sucks is when you’ve been in the shelter and you’ve done all the paperwork you’ve turned them in and you still not getting help to get off the street even if you do what they ask and they say and promise you that you’re going to get a place and you don’t have a child and I can’t even f****** get into a place but they want me to sit into shelter for 2 years I’m cool with that . I can’t even get help with getting my stimulus check s . Now I in the cold because the cops took my car on Thanksgiving with I was picking up my daughter to spend the day with her and I spent over half the day on side of the road with her and we tried to make the best of it . The last time I posted something it was token off.
Hi Kandra.
If still in need of help contact me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frank.ploof.7/
I heard, with my own ears, a “case worker” tell an 70something year lady “don’t bother signing up for section 8, you are not eligible. It is for people 18-62 only.” I told the elderly lady some dont sound right about that. After a quick Google search, I was able to show here that she is indeed eligible. AND because she is over 62 she gets priority.
My only question is why would somebody try to discourage her from that with a blatant bold faced lie?
They are understaffed because they choose to be. What is the ratio of the uneducated in this field that work there?