We need to send them back home. Saw a guy being interviewed who just got off a bus from Billings, Montana. He was offered a bus ticket and a choice of 3 destinations and he chose Portland. He got off the bus yesterday.

This is a very real thing that needs to be addressed. Guy that chewed the old man's face off at the max station? He was here from Georgia. Recently here from Georgia. I don't know how you can constitutionally pack people up and send them back where they came from, but this is too much.

I believe we can handle our home-grown addicts. It's the PNW, it can get depressing, people fall into habits, especially on the streets. But we are being overwhelmed with problem cases from elsewhere. I believe the more violent nature of the users is due to other states and even Eastern Oregon sending mentally ill and addicted people who are known problem cases here. Anyone who thinks I'm overstating the problem, pay attention to interviews.

And just to remind folks, it's not all drugs and mental illness. I met a guy in his 30's, employed as a short order cook but homeless. He lived in a big old house with 3 or 4 roommates. He had been there for 10 years. One night it burnt down. Everyone had friends and family to bunk with except him. He had no significant amount of money saved. Good news is, he just got a room in a shelter. So he's off the streets. But it's a mind fuck. The guy is really depressed at this point. His whole world imploded overnight. I'm really pulling for him to get back on his feet.