Let Them Drink… Or Not?
It’s a cutting edge idea. Most cutting edge thought is controversial. This is certainly.
The paradigm? Provide an apartment to a person who is homeless… and do not have strict rules for residency. In other words, you get an apartment, and even if you’re struggling with alcoholism, you can still drink.
This is occurring in Seattle. Critics call it “bunks for drunks.” They think tax payers should not “reward alcoholics” with free housing, when the rest of society has to work hard to make ends meet.
Advocates of this new approach say this gets people who are homeless off the streets quicker, and it costs less than paying to keep these people in jail.
It’s a fine line. I think we all agree that we want people who are living on the streets, off the streets. But how we get there is always controversial.
I lean toward the “ends justify the means.” If this is what it takes to help people leave homelessness, and it’s cost effective, then go for it.
(Pic from www.hanaflavoredsake.com)
The paradigm? Provide an apartment to a person who is homeless… and do not have strict rules for residency. In other words, you get an apartment, and even if you’re struggling with alcoholism, you can still drink.
This is occurring in Seattle. Critics call it “bunks for drunks.” They think tax payers should not “reward alcoholics” with free housing, when the rest of society has to work hard to make ends meet.
Advocates of this new approach say this gets people who are homeless off the streets quicker, and it costs less than paying to keep these people in jail.
It’s a fine line. I think we all agree that we want people who are living on the streets, off the streets. But how we get there is always controversial.
I lean toward the “ends justify the means.” If this is what it takes to help people leave homelessness, and it’s cost effective, then go for it.
(Pic from www.hanaflavoredsake.com)
posted by LA's Homeless Blog at
11:41 AM
4 Comments:
Everyone needs housing. Just because you drink does not mean you are "struggling" with anything. Homeless systems need to stop all this treatment crap and maybe house people in real housing.
I walked into the LA Mission and asked to see one of their case workers. He said hi and then asked me when was the last time I had a drink. I told him about a week ago, and he further questioned me about my alcohol addiction. I told him I was not an alcoholic. He said it's OK and they can get me into detox today. I told him again I was not an alcoholic or anything for that matter. I told him I'm here to donate 20 pairs of shoes for the needy. Is this what all homeless go through? If you drink a week ago that is classified as being an alcoholic?
Yes! any alcohol use ever in your life requires life-long never-ending treatment and a mat on the floor while they rake in millions.
I drink and use bud all the time. I'm not homeless. 67 and living great because I not poor. It is sad they blame drinking on homelessness. It's jobs and housing. If you notice these people go through all kinds of brainwashing and still have no jobs or training or housing.
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