LGBTQ+ affected by drug and alcohol addiction have no treatment centers that are tailored to their specific needs. Those needs are a sense of community, mental health, gender affirming groups, trauma-informed interventions and amenities for housing (i.e. a trans-woman gets housed with men and is sexually, verbally and physically harassed). 

If things stay the same in San Joaquin County, the chance of living a healthy life as an LGBTQ+ person is in danger.  If no specialized treatment centers are funded this community will continue to struggle with addiction, and all the things that come with it (ex: HIV/Aids, homelessness, poverty and mental health disorders). If these centers were funded not only would the LGBTQ+ community benefit but also the county as a whole. San Joaquin County would have less homelessness and addicts wandering our streets. Children would be able to play at parks, no more lives would be lost due to mind-altering substances and our community could not only be safe but inclusive.

Funding needs to happen now! The state of California has already granted money to Mental Health and Substance Abuse in the tens of millions, however none is being used for the LGBTQ+ community. Funding needs to happen now, or another addict in need of rescue will die.