Mayor Karen Bass’s Controversial Comments on Dental Care for Meth Users
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has recently sparked confusion with her remarks about providing dental care for methamphetamine addicts. Many reacted with surprise after she mentioned the issue while campaigning for re-election during a forum focused on homelessness.
During her speech, she noted the absence of teeth among many individuals struggling with addiction, specifically linking this to meth use. “How many unincarcerated people do you meet who don’t have any teeth?” she queried. “Meth will rot your teeth!” she emphasized. Bass went on to say, “You can’t be successful without teeth,” advocating for comprehensive health care as a necessary support.
The comments quickly drew criticism, with some viewing them as indicative of broader Democratic policies. One social media user responded, “We want these idiots to pay taxes that will go toward brushing their teeth. How can it get any worse? God, please intervene.” Another user quipped, “Once they get the new helicopters, they will be successful, well-employed, and model citizens. It’s like magic teeth—if only we had known this sooner.” The skepticism didn’t stop there; another critic pointed out that many people in Los Angeles, beyond drug addicts, also need dental care, questioning Bass’s focus.
For context, homelessness is a key issue in the mayoral race, with Bass facing competition from former reality TV star Spencer Pratt. In a recent debate, Pratt mocked the policies supported by Bass and Nitya Raman, a far-left city council candidate, insisting that simply providing beds wouldn’t solve the deeper issues, including drug addiction. “The reality is, no matter how many beds you give these people, they’re still on super stimulants, they’re on fentanyl,” he explained. He further cited DEA statistics, stressing that 93% of the problem stems from drug addiction, suggesting a need for more direct actions.
While recent polls show Bass still in the lead, Pratt has made notable gains, marking the most significant increase among candidates since March.
