04/25/2026
Still working on the 2nd installment of Words of a Utican.
But for now, let's chew on this.
What does it really mean to "help" the drug addiction/homeless epidemic in our area?
Is 'helping' them really working in our area when the services provided have not made a significant difference in the rates of homelessness or drug addiction for the past few years?
Who is tasked with the responsibility of 'helping' them?
Here are a few examples.
- Rescue Mission of Utica
Executive Director Wendy Goetz made 116k in 2024.
About double of the average salary in Utica.
- Helio Health & Oneida County DSS Homeless Unit.
Funded in part by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, payed for by taxpayers aka you and me.
- United Way of the Mohawk Valley
Reported revenue of $1.7M in 2024.
Hats off to everyone who works here and tries their best, our intent is never to downplay well-meaning people with their hearts in the right place. However, there does come a point when we have to start questioning what works vs. what does not, and- Why? There is a clear profit incentive in keeping people homeless and drug-addicted (let's not even discuss the pharmaceutical angle here).
What truly is 'help'?
Is help addressing the root cause of an issue or reacting to the problem once the damage is done? One can argue it's both, actions are completed in terms of capacity, funding, staff, etc.
However, how can this be true for an area like ours?
We are a "service-hub" for the homeless. We attract homeless populations from even outside of the county. How can we say that we take the issue of homelessness seriously when we are the main geographical location servicing it and there is not significant progress.
It is time we ask questions.
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