The speaker shares about their experience working with individuals living on the streets who are struggling with substance abuse and homelessness. They talk about the challenges of approaching such individuals and express empathy and a desire to help them beyond just giving money. The speaker mentions a new initiative worth $16 million aimed at assisting these individuals, hoping that it will provide a better solution than the current practices.
You were on the streets working with them. How the hell did you walk up to a person who was whacked out on something, living on the streets, half-clothed? How did you walk up to them? I mean, that's gotta be gross. It was hard, but you had to. One thing I want to say, I'm empathetic to their plight. I'm sympathetic to their plight. I just want them to get help and not to keep on doing what we're doing, which is to hand them five dollars. We have to do something better. The $16 million, whatever it's called, that's coming forth, I think that's- Oh, the opportunity canvas. I think that's going to help, but again, we can argue whether or not it's going to draw more in, I don't know. But at least it's a place, hopefully the police can drop folks off without being tied down with three hours of paperwork and drop them off there and then drive away and hopefully they'll get assistance they need.