The article by Dexter Dow highlights systemic failures in New Hampshire’s support systems following the fentanyl-related death of his daughter’s mother. It depicts the bureaucratic indifference towards issues such as mental illness and poverty, emphasizing insufficient state assistance. Dow argues for policy reforms to better support grieving families and to promote dignity for the vulnerable.
New Hampshire faces a severe homelessness crisis, with a 52% increase in the homeless population from 2022 to 2023. The current system’s “treatment first” approach creates barriers to housing access. Implementing a statewide Housing First policy is proposed to provide immediate, stable housing, improve outcomes, and reduce public costs by avoiding the cycle of homelessness.
New Hampshire faces dual emergencies: a mental health treatment bottleneck and a homelessness crisis. In 2023, homelessness surged by over 52%, driven by high rental costs and ending pandemic assistance. Policymakers have introduced reforms, but bottlenecks in mental health services and insufficient housing options hinder progress, emphasizing a critical need for efficient implementation and funding.
