Homeless Junkie Panhandlers...

[damiensmom]

I give 9 out of 10 times. Regardless,I feel that whatever they do with it is there choice .I give to feel good. I also agree with mellisa on the fact these people need there booze or dope as much as my son needs his meds to feel good. They had a choice at one time. Now its an addiction that leaves them no choice. Unlike Damien my son. Do I judge ,jury and convict ? No I dont. I do give almost always.Does it make me resent those who do have choices? No .

 

[kswitch]

if i have spare change, i give. i don't discriminate against addicts. i spend some of my money on food, and some on drugs, not so much alcohol. who am i to judge this person on their vices? it is their llife, they can live it how they want, same as me. my decison to not give money is based solely on my mood and their demeanor. i choose not to perpetuate bad attitudes, but addiction is a state of existence. everyone's an addict, even though we don't always recognize it. for many, their addictions are socially accepted and are not labeled as such, but, to me (and a host of addiction experts), they're no different.

also, maybe if enough give them money for drugs, they won't resort to stealing for it. in that respect, giving to an addict seems like the socially responsible thing to do.

 

[kswitch]

if i have spare change, i give. i don't discriminate against addicts. i spend some of my money on food, and some on drugs, not so much alcohol. who am i to judge this person on their vices? it is their llife, they can live it how they want, same as me. my decison to not give money is based solely on my mood and their demeanor. i choose not to perpetuate bad attitudes, but addiction is a state of existence. everyone's an addict, even though we don't always recognize it. for many, their addictions are socially accepted and are not labeled as such, but, to me (and a host of addiction experts), they're no different.

also, maybe if enough give them money for drugs, they won't resort to stealing for it. in that respect, giving to an addict seems like the socially responsible thing to do.

 

[kswitch]

if i have spare change, i give. i don't discriminate against addicts. i spend some of my money on food, and some on drugs, not so much alcohol. who am i to judge this person on their vices? it is their llife, they can live it how they want, same as me. my decison to not give money is based solely on my mood and their demeanor. i choose not to perpetuate bad attitudes, but addiction is a state of existence. everyone's an addict, even though we don't always recognize it. for many, their addictions are socially accepted and are not labeled as such, but, to me (and a host of addiction experts), they're no different.

also, maybe if enough give them money for drugs, they won't resort to stealing for it. in that respect, giving to an addict seems like the socially responsible thing to do.

 

[my65roses4me]

Has anybody heard the word Enabler?
If you fund an addict you are enabling them to be dysfunctional. I dont want any part of that.
But giving them food and something to drink is a healthy way to support them. Just because they will shoot up, drink or whatever their vice is no matter if I fund it or not doesn't mean you or I have to participate in their demise!

 

[my65roses4me]

Has anybody heard the word Enabler?
If you fund an addict you are enabling them to be dysfunctional. I dont want any part of that.
But giving them food and something to drink is a healthy way to support them. Just because they will shoot up, drink or whatever their vice is no matter if I fund it or not doesn't mean you or I have to participate in their demise!

 

[my65roses4me]

Has anybody heard the word Enabler?
If you fund an addict you are enabling them to be dysfunctional. I dont want any part of that.
But giving them food and something to drink is a healthy way to support them. Just because they will shoot up, drink or whatever their vice is no matter if I fund it or not doesn't mean you or I have to participate in their demise!

 

[kswitch]

i guess i know that they're going to get the drugs whether i help them or not. giving someone food that is just going to end up in the trash is a waste of good food.

i also feel that just by being part of a society that creates homeless addicts (which is largely unavoidable) i am contributing to their demise.

and i try to avoid labeling a person as dysfunctional because functionality is too subjective. i look at it like, hey, they're alive, so they must be functioning somehow, even though i wouldn't choose to function that way.

'dysfunctional' should be reserved for processes and instituions that require the efforts of numerous individuals, and not used to describe individuals themselves. to me, it's a precursor to prejudice, but that's just me one that one!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[kswitch]

i guess i know that they're going to get the drugs whether i help them or not. giving someone food that is just going to end up in the trash is a waste of good food.

i also feel that just by being part of a society that creates homeless addicts (which is largely unavoidable) i am contributing to their demise.

and i try to avoid labeling a person as dysfunctional because functionality is too subjective. i look at it like, hey, they're alive, so they must be functioning somehow, even though i wouldn't choose to function that way.

'dysfunctional' should be reserved for processes and instituions that require the efforts of numerous individuals, and not used to describe individuals themselves. to me, it's a precursor to prejudice, but that's just me one that one!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[kswitch]

i guess i know that they're going to get the drugs whether i help them or not. giving someone food that is just going to end up in the trash is a waste of good food.

i also feel that just by being part of a society that creates homeless addicts (which is largely unavoidable) i am contributing to their demise.

and i try to avoid labeling a person as dysfunctional because functionality is too subjective. i look at it like, hey, they're alive, so they must be functioning somehow, even though i wouldn't choose to function that way.

'dysfunctional' should be reserved for processes and instituions that require the efforts of numerous individuals, and not used to describe individuals themselves. to me, it's a precursor to prejudice, but that's just me one that one!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Jane]

We give (usually). SOmetimes money, sometimes food.

One time my husband and I bought a parka for a guy who was sitting outside the thrift store we were going into. We were buying costumes.

I always want to believe the person really needs the food, even though I'm sure its not always true.

 

[Jane]

We give (usually). SOmetimes money, sometimes food.

One time my husband and I bought a parka for a guy who was sitting outside the thrift store we were going into. We were buying costumes.

I always want to believe the person really needs the food, even though I'm sure its not always true.

 

[Jane]

We give (usually). SOmetimes money, sometimes food.

One time my husband and I bought a parka for a guy who was sitting outside the thrift store we were going into. We were buying costumes.

I always want to believe the person really needs the food, even though I'm sure its not always true.

 

[JazzysMom]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>my65roses4me</b></i>

Has anybody heard the word Enabler?

If you fund an addict you are enabling them to be dysfunctional. I dont want any part of that.

But giving them food and something to drink is a healthy way to support them. Just because they will shoot up, drink or whatever their vice is no matter if I fund it or not doesn't mean you or I have to participate in their demise!</end quote></div>

I asked my husband on this and this is his input from experience. The hardcore junkies, addicts & alcoholics wont usually consume the food or beverages you purchase (unless its alcohol). Some will just dump it, but most will either sell or trade it with someone that can get/give them the drugs/alcohol they are seeking for. So to think $$ is the only way to fund it isnt so. BUT like anything else if you are willing to give (whether it be $$ or food/drink) then its a risk you take.

 

[JazzysMom]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>my65roses4me</b></i>

Has anybody heard the word Enabler?

If you fund an addict you are enabling them to be dysfunctional. I dont want any part of that.

But giving them food and something to drink is a healthy way to support them. Just because they will shoot up, drink or whatever their vice is no matter if I fund it or not doesn't mean you or I have to participate in their demise!</end quote></div>

I asked my husband on this and this is his input from experience. The hardcore junkies, addicts & alcoholics wont usually consume the food or beverages you purchase (unless its alcohol). Some will just dump it, but most will either sell or trade it with someone that can get/give them the drugs/alcohol they are seeking for. So to think $$ is the only way to fund it isnt so. BUT like anything else if you are willing to give (whether it be $$ or food/drink) then its a risk you take.

 

[JazzysMom]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>my65roses4me</b></i>

Has anybody heard the word Enabler?

If you fund an addict you are enabling them to be dysfunctional. I dont want any part of that.

But giving them food and something to drink is a healthy way to support them. Just because they will shoot up, drink or whatever their vice is no matter if I fund it or not doesn't mean you or I have to participate in their demise!</end quote></div>

I asked my husband on this and this is his input from experience. The hardcore junkies, addicts & alcoholics wont usually consume the food or beverages you purchase (unless its alcohol). Some will just dump it, but most will either sell or trade it with someone that can get/give them the drugs/alcohol they are seeking for. So to think $$ is the only way to fund it isnt so. BUT like anything else if you are willing to give (whether it be $$ or food/drink) then its a risk you take.

 

[LisaV]

This was the population that my late husband worked with.
McDonald's coupons was what he did often for panhandlers.
But there's a large group of homele3ss in Boston and some of them he knew as friends. One guy used to feed quarters into a meter for us when we parked near the Libraray and Rip would give him a buck or two at the end of the day for his efforts. I figure you don't want to enable and go buy booze for someone, but on the other hand your not trying to fix everyone on a daily basis either and denying someone a dollar never got anyone straight or sober. Do what comes naturally. Treat everyone you meet with respect and as a human being. If you're feeling high on life and generous then go with it. If not, then don't.

P.S. JazzysMom is right on when she talks about the barter phenomena.

I gave Rip's long flowing cowboy coat (think the movie Tombstone) to a guy who used to hang out around the hospital. I loved the idea that I would see it on someone (if not him then someone else) rounding the corner in Boston some day (think the movie Michael) and I knew Rip would get a kick out of that too.

 

[LisaV]

This was the population that my late husband worked with.
McDonald's coupons was what he did often for panhandlers.
But there's a large group of homele3ss in Boston and some of them he knew as friends. One guy used to feed quarters into a meter for us when we parked near the Libraray and Rip would give him a buck or two at the end of the day for his efforts. I figure you don't want to enable and go buy booze for someone, but on the other hand your not trying to fix everyone on a daily basis either and denying someone a dollar never got anyone straight or sober. Do what comes naturally. Treat everyone you meet with respect and as a human being. If you're feeling high on life and generous then go with it. If not, then don't.

P.S. JazzysMom is right on when she talks about the barter phenomena.

I gave Rip's long flowing cowboy coat (think the movie Tombstone) to a guy who used to hang out around the hospital. I loved the idea that I would see it on someone (if not him then someone else) rounding the corner in Boston some day (think the movie Michael) and I knew Rip would get a kick out of that too.

 

[LisaV]

This was the population that my late husband worked with.
McDonald's coupons was what he did often for panhandlers.
But there's a large group of homele3ss in Boston and some of them he knew as friends. One guy used to feed quarters into a meter for us when we parked near the Libraray and Rip would give him a buck or two at the end of the day for his efforts. I figure you don't want to enable and go buy booze for someone, but on the other hand your not trying to fix everyone on a daily basis either and denying someone a dollar never got anyone straight or sober. Do what comes naturally. Treat everyone you meet with respect and as a human being. If you're feeling high on life and generous then go with it. If not, then don't.

P.S. JazzysMom is right on when she talks about the barter phenomena.

I gave Rip's long flowing cowboy coat (think the movie Tombstone) to a guy who used to hang out around the hospital. I loved the idea that I would see it on someone (if not him then someone else) rounding the corner in Boston some day (think the movie Michael) and I knew Rip would get a kick out of that too.

 

[Jade]

I can usually tell if someone has fell on hard times or if their just beggin outside the conveince store for other reasons. If their situation seems genuine then I don't mind helping...especially when doggies are involved<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">. However I have given money to people in the past and then drive a short distance away and watch. They kept collecting change from other people and a half hour later they buy a 40oz of St, Ides with the change. My personal favorite is when someone uses food stamps to buy a dozen twinkies...seperately...and then uses the excess change for beer. Last time I was in D.C. I actually had people not begging but demanding money when you walked by. Of course they forgot to hide the gold chain and rings. Sorry, you don't look to desperate to me<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> I've seen a million of those tricks so I'm wary of who I help and who I pass by<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif" border="0">