Reconsider CARE courts

I oppose the proposed CARE courts. Redirecting funds to healthcare and housing would be more effective solutions to providing sustainable solutions for houseless folks. Instead, this proposal has the potential for abuse by family members or police officials (who already operate in a biased way against Black and brown folks). Research shows involuntary treatment is ineffective and can further traumatize and harm vulnerable people in addition to inhibiting their recovery efforts. Studies of court-ordered drug treatment have found that coerced treatment is associated with increased overdoses and relapses compared to voluntary treatment. Furthermore, Black and brown Californians would be disproportionately under more court control because of systemic inequities in housing, lending, employment and healthcare, which have placed these groups at higher rates of houselessness. Moreover, mental health professionals have disproportionately overdiagnosed Black and brown folks with schizophrenia and psychotic disorders. This proposal has the potential for a great deal of harm, which was not the intended purpose of this program. I urge you to reconsider and redirect funds to healthcare and affordable housing instead.