In 2018, Portland was home to an estimated 14,000 chronically homeless people, the vast majority of whom were in Portland, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Portland Police Department has no official policy on clearing out the camps or relocating homeless individuals. Third parties now shoulder the burden of coordinating with the city and obtaining police protection in cleaning up the camps.

Local officials claim to be pursuing solutions, but the solutions offered thus faraffordable housing bonds and refusing to enforce prohibitions on camping on public rights of way and in city parksdo nothing to address the lack of mental health treatment and drug abuse problems at the root of this humanitarian crisis.

In 2016 alone, Portland police seized about 284 pounds of heroin and meth. But those who are afflicted by addiction often never have to confront their habit, at least not due to legal consequences.

Oregons drug policy is defined by leniency. Police have neither the resources, nor the backing of their superiors to arrest an individual for being on drugs in public or for having drugs on their person. In practice, heroin and meth are legal.

That isnt humane. Its gross governmental dereliction of duty.

Resolving the homelessness crisis requires us to acknowledge the humanity of those afflicted. They are not human refuse; they are people, albeit badly broken.

But fixing the problem requires more than just a token verbal acknowledgment. Part of recognizing their humanity is understanding that the homeless are not merely victims of circumstance. They need help taking the first steps toward reclaiming their lives.

The situation has gotten so bad that it now demands aggressive action at both the city and state levels. The police must be empowered to disperse these camps. Courts should require those in violation of drug laws to seek treatment.

The above makes a case for the reasoning behind the homelessness crisis, and what the best solution moving forward would be. Answer questions #1 after carefully reading the article.

Question 1

Every argument has Claims (Premises) that support a Conclusion. What is the conclusion of the above argument?

Group of answer choices

The situation has gotten so bad that it now demands aggressive action at both the city and state levels. The police must be empowered to disperse these camps. Courts should require those in violation of drug laws to seek treatment.

Third parties now shoulder the burden of coordinating with the city and obtaining police protection in cleaning up the camps.

Police have neither the resources, nor the backing of their superiors to arrest an individual for being on drugs in public or for having drugs on their person. In practice, heroin and meth are legal.

Part of recognizing their humanity is understanding that the homeless are not merely victims of circumstance.