Radio Atlantic: No Easy Fix | Episode 1: Vanishing Point
Release Date: July 31, 2025
Host: The Atlantic
Description: Radio Atlantic delves into the complex issues shaping American culture and society. In this episode, "Vanishing Point," the focus is on the intertwined crises of homelessness and addiction in San Francisco, exploring individual stories and systemic challenges.
Introduction to the Crisis
The episode opens with host Hanna Rosen discussing President Trump's executive order titled "Ending Crime and Disorder on America's Streets" signed a week prior. While initially perceived as a move against liberal cities, Rosen highlights that several cities, including San Francisco, were already grappling with the very issues the order seeks to address. She sets the stage for a three-week series examining the dire state of social order in American cities, emphasizing the prevalence of homelessness and addiction.
Evan's Descent: From Mechanic to Addict
Reporter Ethan Brooks introduces Evan, a central figure whose life encapsulates the struggles faced by many in San Francisco. Initially a skilled mechanic in North Carolina, Evan moved to San Francisco, where his descent into addiction led him to become an "out of town booster"—a term describing his role in stealing goods from outside the city to support his fentanyl addiction.
Notable Quote:
Evan (01:26): "I know some people that spend hours... just holding up a cardboard sign in an intersection. It might take them 10 hours to make $10."
Ethan paints a vivid picture of Evan's daily life, highlighting his methods of theft and the underground economy that facilitates the sale of stolen goods. Evan's addiction to fentanyl is portrayed as the driving force behind his continual cycle of theft and dependency.
Friendship and Betrayal: Joe Nguyen's Perspective
The narrative shifts to Joe Nguyen, Evan's best friend from before his addiction took hold. Joe recounts their friendship, illustrating how Evan was once a charming and reliable individual. However, Evan's struggle with addiction introduced a darker side, nicknamed "Melvin."
Notable Quote:
Joe Nguyen (12:39): "I had a drug test kit on site... I just can't carry you if you're going to do that. It was excruciating, man."
Joe's attempts to intervene, including offering Evan a stable job at his cannabis company, ultimately failed when Evan relapsed. This pivotal moment led Evan back to the streets of San Francisco, deepening his involvement in theft to sustain his addiction.
San Francisco's Homelessness and Drug Epidemic
Ethan Brooks provides a broader context of San Francisco's ongoing homelessness and drug crisis. The city, particularly the Tenderloin neighborhood, has become infamous for its visible struggles with fentanyl addiction and homelessness. The episode references the alarming statistic that in a certain period, more people in San Francisco died of overdose than from COVID-19.
Notable Quote:
Ethan Brooks (08:05): "Rampant homelessness, deadly drug addiction, and unpunished shoplifting and car break ins. Businesses are fleeing and the city is dead."
The discussion highlights how social order has deteriorated, with encampments and drug use becoming distressingly commonplace and visually prominent across the city.
Liz Brulee: The Relentless Seeker of the Missing
Introducing Liz Brulee, a volunteer who dedicates her time to locating missing individuals, many of whom are battling homelessness and addiction. Liz operates independently, often reconnecting lost individuals with their families, providing a semblance of hope amidst the chaos.
Notable Quote:
Liz Brulee (22:55): "Most of the times when families get to me, they think their loved one is deceased. And so they're almost just looking for validation that that's the case. And it's usually not."
Liz's efforts are portrayed as a grassroots response to the crisis, filling gaps left by insufficient city programs. Her personal connection with Evan underscores the deep human impact of the homelessness and addiction epidemic.
The New Mayoral Administration's Approach
San Francisco has elected a new mayor, Daniel Lurie, described as an "ultra-wealthy moderate" aiming to instill accountability and change. Mayor Lurie's approach diverges from merely increasing police presence; instead, he emphasizes restoring citizens' sense of safety and decency.
Notable Quote:
Mayor Lurie (16:58): "You, the people of San Francisco."
Lurie's inaugural speech focuses on the psychological and emotional toll of the visible homelessness crisis, acknowledging that while the number of unsheltered individuals remains stagnant, the city's daytime population has significantly decreased, exacerbating the visibility of those experiencing homelessness.
A Glimmer of Hope: Evan's Resolve
In a pivotal moment, Evan reaches out to Liz Brulee from his hospital bed, expressing a desire to overcome his addiction and leave the streets behind. This marks the first time Evan openly declares his intention to change, symbolizing a potential turning point not only for him but also for the city's broader strategy to tackle homelessness and addiction.
Notable Quote:
Evan (29:53): "Because I have to figure something out."
Ethan Brooks emphasizes that Evan's readiness to change represents the very moment that the city's interventions aim to catalyze meaningful progress.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
Episode 1: "Vanishing Point" paints a comprehensive and compassionate portrait of the intertwined issues of homelessness and addiction in San Francisco. Through the stories of Evan, Joe, and Liz, the episode underscores the complexity of finding sustainable solutions and the human cost of systemic failures. As the series progresses, listeners are invited to explore the multifaceted approaches required to address these persistent social challenges.
Produced and Reported by: Ethan Brooks
Editing: Jocelyn Frank and Hanna Rosen
Engineering: Rob Smirciak
Fact Checking: Sam Fentress
Executive Producer: Claudine Evade
Managing Editor: Andrea Valdez