Can We Find A Solution For Homelessness?

For the past seven years my colleagues and I have worked in downtown Eugene and have observed many changes in our community. Historically, we were friendly with the familiar faces of the unhoused, who were respectful community members and actively sought out help with dependency issues, housing insecurity and job connections.

However, a shift has occurred in the last year, and now we no longer see those familiar faces. Instead, we routinely witness blatant drug distribution, heroin and methamphetamine use, and continually navigate vomit and human shit, and people passed out in front of our work location.

Therefore, while the recent article (“Fast and Furious,” EW, April 13) regarding the two-hour sweeps happening in our community is understandably disturbing, these are the same people we see dealing and using downtown. How about doing an article about people selling, freebasing and spray painting stolen bicycles? Or maybe, EW, coming up with a solution to this crisis?

Christie Creed

Eugene

Editor’s note: Eugene Weekly has covered many solutions to the homeless crisis. Many can be found searching the terms homelessness as well as Catalyst Journalism Project at EugeneWeekly.com.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!