The dictionary defines “murder” as the “Unlawful and unjustified killing of someone.”

Based on that definition, the Washoe County Commissioners and their County Manager must share blame for their part in the recent “murder” of long-time vagrant, CARES Campus client, and meth addict John B.

Better known on the street as “Paris”, John B. died unnecessarily and horribly last Sunday, for the following reasons.

1) Paris was not strong enough on his own to quit the methamphetamine addiction that killed him.

2) Paris started coming to the County-operated CARES Campus  for help several years ago. That only made his addiction worse because CARES allows unlimited drug use in their facilities. They tell desperate homeless addicts like Paris a deadly lie: that they don’t have to stop using drugs to have a good life and stay in the program.

CARES Campus sells that lie to client/addicts by giving them every material thing that CARES’  excessive government funding can buy.

Paris believed what CARES  told him.

He bought into their lie.

It encouraged him to increase his substance abuse, and ultimately destroyed him.

The Washoe County Commissioners and County Manager have chosen to run this kind of program and support the CARES Campus lie. It’s because allowing client drug use is required if the County wants to continue collecting the millions of dollars in annual federal funding that keep the failed CARES program afloat.

County Commissioners believe that maintaining their political image with the CARES Campus facility – even though it’s a program that often has lethal consequences for clients like Paris, is better than no program at all. That’s morally sick reasoning … and it’s wrong.

There Is An Alternative

• The Commissioners and County Manager could close down the CARES Campus program. They could replace it with a smaller, privately-funded program that allowed NO drug use. The County could hand over its operation to a local non-profit coalition of churches.

• This type of program would actually help desperate addicts get clean and sober.

• It would prevent them from committing virtual suicide with their addiction.

• It would demand clean/sober living as a requirement to receiving services.

• It would save the lives of individuals like Paris.

The Commissioners could have switched-out the CARES program and made this change long ago, but they’ve refused to even discuss it.

As we’ve seen repeatedly, when the Commissioners’ decisions come down to a choice between saving money  or saving lives … lives mean almost nothing to them or their Manager.

I’ve reached out repeatedly to the County Commissioners and Manager, regarding the deeply troubled CARES Campus. Not one of them has been willing to visit the program with me – unannounced –  and see firsthand how many lives it is destroying.

The Commissioners’ and Manager’s actions in allowing this CARES Campus situation to continue have been absolutely “unlawful,” and “unjustified.” They directly played a part in Paris’ death and many others just like him.

“Paris” B.’s death was tragic because it was avoidable.

It was not accidental.

He did NOT “pass-on.”

By definition, Paris was de facto “murdered” by the County politicians’ indifference, arrogance, and greed. 

Thomas Jefferson once said, ” I tremble when I recall that God is just.” 

I don’t know how the Washoe County Commissioners and Manager feel about the part they each played  in the death of John “Paris” B., and dozens just like him.

I don’t know if it makes ANY of them “tremble” … but it certainly should.

_______________________

Speak Up, Nevada! What’s on Your Mind? Send us your opinion!

Got the inside scoop on something happening in Nevada? Or the country? Do you have thoughts about life in Nevada that are too good to keep to yourself? Whether it’s a hot take on our politics, crime, education, or even the secret to surviving our summers, we’re all ears! Swing them our way at editor@thenevadaglobe.com. Come on, give us the scoop on what makes Nevada tick—or what ticks you off. Let’s make some noise and have some fun with it!

*************************

Legal Disclaimer

The opinions expressed in this article, authored by Paul White, are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views or positions of Nevada Globe. This content is provided for informational purposes only and has not been endorsed by Nevada Globe. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the content contained on this site for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Nevada Globe is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within the article. No guarantee is given that the information provided in this article is correct, complete, or up-to-date.

Although this article may include links providing direct access to other Internet resources, including websites, Nevada Globe is not responsible for the accuracy or content of information contained in these sites.

Links from Nevada Globe to third-party sites do not constitute an endorsement by Nevada Globe of the parties or their products and services. The appearance on the website of advertisements and product or service information does not constitute an endorsement by Nevada Globe, and Nevada Globe has not investigated the claims made by any advertiser.