When Woodland Hills residents announced a protest march against the influx of homeless, and especially what they describe as aggressive panhandlers/drug addicts in their community, a counter-protest was organized in response. One thing I took from this event today was the over-emphasis on drug addiction, through the many signs saying “panhandling supports addiction.” It is an oversimplification, and ignores the reality that you could also print signs that say, “gainful employment supports addiction,” because there are many more drug-addicted people who have jobs and are not homeless. Do we accuse those employers of “supporting addiction,” and insist they fire people until they kick the habit? It is just a disingenuous and convenient issue for NIMBYs to hang their fear and disgust on….