J.P. Fountaine, a recovering heroin addict, sits on his bed at the House of Hope homeless shelter on Mount Pleasant Street in New Bedford.
Lancaster, California – Longtime Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris is facing intense backlash after suggesting during a public meeting that the solution to his city’s homelessness crisis could be to “give them all the fentanyl they want.”
The remarks, made during a February 25 city council meeting, resurfaced this week following a Fox 11 interview in which Parris stood by his comments. In the original meeting, a speaker during the public comment period criticized Parris for allegedly wanting to confine Lancaster’s homeless population to a single encampment. Parris responded with a more extreme proposal.
“What I want to do is give them free fentanyl,” he said. When asked to clarify, he repeated: “I want to give them all the fentanyl they want.”
“That was not kind,” the speaker replied, expressing shock at the mayor’s statement.
The comment has sparked outrage in the community, particularly given California’s ongoing struggle with the opioid epidemic. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, is responsible for thousands of overdose deaths across the state each year.
The controversy comes as Parris, who recently won a sixth term, is facing a recall effort. Critics accuse him of prioritizing personal and political gain over the needs of Lancaster residents. According to the Antelope Valley Press, the city clerk is suing former political opponents of Parris over alleged misinformation in recall petition documents.
On the website recall-rex.com, organizers cite a pattern of “mismanagement, controversial policies, and a disregard for transparency.” One cited grievance is Parris’ decision to extend mayoral terms from two years to four, which critics claim undermines the city’s democratic process.
Despite the criticism, Parris has shown no indication of stepping back from his leadership role—or walking back his controversial remarks.
