Author and advocate Jared Klickstein is drawing attention to the ongoing homelessness and addiction crisis, particularly in Los Angeles, through his memoir "Crooked Smile" and his critical commentary on existing policies. Klickstein, a former chronically homeless individual and drug addict, asserts that current approaches often exacerbate the problem rather than solve it, placing undue strain on public services.
Klickstein's book, "Crooked Smile: What It Took to Escape a Decade of Homelessness, Addiction, & Crime," offers a raw and personal account of his journey from a childhood with addicted parents to nearly a decade on the streets of Los Angeles, including Skid Row, and his eventual recovery. The memoir aims to provide firsthand insight into the realities of addiction and homelessness, challenging conventional narratives.
A recent social media post by Klickstein highlighted the burden on emergency services, stating, > "The LAFD on average has 55% more calls than they did in 2010 with 68 less firefighters. 1500 calls. 650 patients a day. Their budget has been cut, meanwhile horrific homeless/addiction policy has weighed them down to no end. They are swamped babysitting homeless schizophrenic…" This tweet underscores his belief that ineffective policies divert critical resources.
Klickstein frequently argues that many current programs act as "jobs programs for liberal arts graduates" rather than effective solutions for those suffering from addiction and homelessness. He advocates for approaches that prioritize sobriety and personal accountability, drawing from his own experience where a rigorous, responsibility-focused treatment program led to his lasting recovery. He believes "half measures and coddling do not work."
His advocacy extends to proposing practical solutions, including the establishment of non-profit initiatives focused on blue-collar job training for individuals in recovery or homeless housing. Klickstein's work seeks to inform policy discussions by offering a perspective rooted in lived experience, aiming to foster more effective and sustainable interventions for the complex challenges of homelessness and addiction across American cities.