Over a similar non-covid period how many households have the power shut off? (No, I didn’t read the article because it just pisses me off.) Also, during that period half of my renters left. All due to drug issues. Their power was cut off. Although money was involved none of them had issues paying the rent until they started getting helicopter money from government, so suddenly they had money to “dispose of.”
So, if you want to see people developing drug issues, just give them free stuff they’d otherwise have to budget for. Because if they have ten extra bucks, they’re going to buy drugs. (My list includes a 36-year-old single mother and a 74-year-old who was doing fine until she had an extra eight grand buring a hole in her pocket.)
There’s no reason to be sensible and look into details.
This is the fault of greedy white men.
QED