Why NOT feed the addictions of panhandlers?

[DrDeth]

@Chronos

Because my goal is to make things better for the panhandler, and him getting drunk or high is going to make things worse in all but the very immediate short term.

Right- it doesnt help them. It hurts them.

[AnaMen]

Should we just give them organic broccoli to eat too? Best not to risk feeding them an unhealthy diet, right? And what about their dental health? Instead of giving a dollar, I’ll start administering a forced toothbrushing, followed by a chase around the park to keep them exercised. I can’t wait to start REALLY helping people!

[jimbuff314]

Whyuncha go out and start today? Then report back here on how well it worked out.
Heck, have someone record it for you and then post it to Youtube. That would be a video I’d watch.
I suspect a lot of other people would as … hmmm. Gives me an idea.
Gotta go.

[DrDeth]

And of course if you make it easier for them to stay addicted they will turn to crime, so it hurts others. Addiction needs larger and larger doses in many cases. Your spare change won’t cut it soon. Then they mug you for your wallet.

Or worse- they mug me for my wallet.

[Digital_is_the_new_Analog]

@Blaster_Master

Yes, I’ve offered to buy food for panhandlers and, not unsurprisingly, I’ve been turned down every time I have. I want to help, and enabling is the exact opposite of that.

I’ve made this offer, and been taken up on it multiple times. I remember walking with a guy to a sandwich shop and telling him to order his dinner. He started to order, and stopped a few times asking me if it was ok if he got certain things.
He was happy to get a good meal, and to actually have a choice in what he ate.

[JayRx1981]

@Acsenray

Isn’t that or some other horrible result likely to happen regardless of whether you hand over your money?

Yes, I will concede that. On the other hand, if I give them money, suspecting they intend to use it on drugs or alcohol, a possibility also exists that they’ll drunkenly wander into traffic and get hit by an otherwise innocent driver, or get stabbed when someone else steals the drugs they just purchased, and while agreeably, this is a tenuous line of reasoning, I believe I would bear at least a degree of moral culpability, which I don’t believe I’d bear if I gave them a sandwich or paid for a meal instead. Other individuals with differing moral views may feel differently.

@AnaMen

I’m all for the existence and availability of shelters, soup kitchens, etc., but why is dependence on institutionalized aid better for the homeless person than direct help from other people?

I’d be willing to bet that it’s because the institutionalized aid is better prepared from the start to link the homeless to the services they specifically, individually need than any random individual passing by would be, at least not without an online search engine, and I’m fairly certain you’d go from looking like someone trying to help to looking like douchebag of the year if you whipped out your smartphone to Google where they can get help, then and there.

@YogSosoth

This is assuming most people, myself included, are not going to take the time, effort, and money to get these people real help. There are few people who would do that, and good on them who take the time to do it, but I am not one of them and neither are most people. I’m not some saint, but I’m not choosing to be one. If I can be a slightly better person with little effort, I’ll do it. There’s nothing wrong with choosing to do a little good when you won’t do a lot of good

While true, I’d also argue that it doesn’t hurt to take a step back and realize that your little good may end up countering the “lot of good” that many of the individuals involved in government and charity agencies, with resources capable of addressing the underlying problems of the homeless (even if not always succeeding in doing so), particularly those with substance use and other mental health related disorders, are trying to achieve.

Usually, the same people against giving out money are the same ones who offer unrealistic or no recourse. Get a job? How’s he supposed to do that with ratty clothes and no address? Would you hire him? Would any corporation take their chance on a guy off the street with no verifiable information? Add to that a significant percentage of the homeless have untreated mental illnesses, and the retort “get a job” seems more like an insult designed to highlight someone’s hopelessness rather than an honest attempt at improvement.

There are organizations which can, if supported in their work, give the homeless with substance use and/or other mental health disorders at least a shot at getting a place to live (short term and longer), connect them with treatment resources for their mental health issues, and even job opportunites. In my area, some of those organizations include the Columbus Housing Network (formed by the Columbus Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board), or the Y(M/W)CA, among many others. They take donations (both monetary and of things like clothing, bedding, and even toiletries–see link to current needs for CHN). It doesn’t have to be a binary statement of “get a job” and provide no money versus giving a small amount of money which may potentially serve to only enable further self-destructive behavior.

The alternative from these people who complain about panhandling is no money at all for the guy. Even if he does try to take your stupid advice, how’s he supposed to focus while starving? If you don’t give money to a panhandler, don’t expect him to take that lesson to heart and better his life. You’re not teaching him anything by refusing to give

Or, alternatively, some of us do our best to avoid enabling, while still offering to buy food/meals instead, and volunteer and/or donate to the charitable agencies who might have a better shot at helping these individuals have a long term.

[Magiver]

@Si_Amigo

But you don’t know they are going to buy drugs, you would be judging, which is something Jesus said not to do, least you be judged. All men are sinners, every single one of them. But people like to wag the finger at the poor and destitute because it makes them feel better about themselves. They should be more like me and not be a burden. I have to work so they should have to work to. It’s called be self centered and hypocritical when people do turn there back on someone in need.

But you do know it’s a real possibility. So the risk is there. Now look at the consequences of the risk, organ failure and a very ugly death for alcoholics and cardiac arrest for drug addicts with drugs like heroin. When the possibilities are weighed against the consequences the risk is high unless you put a low value on life.

Addicts cannot control their habits. You on the other hand can structure how you help them when you donate your time and money. It doesn’t mean you’re judging them or controlling their life. There are an infinite number of ways you can help them without enabling behavior that will kill them.

[Si_Amigo]

@Magiver

But you do know it’s a real possibility.

No. I do not. And I never even hinted that soup kitchens and shelters were not worthy ways of helping the poor. Just don’t use them as an excuse not to help one on the street.

On the other hand, I do not give to anyone I see. I saw a young couple on the exit ramp last week who looked very heathly and clean with a sign asking for money for food so that they could continue their trip. He was sitting down while she worked the sign in her short shorts. I judged that they would not starve and that he was exploiting her. We all make judgement calls.

[alexandra]

I don’t give beggars money, and I don’t buy the argument that people giving addicts cash makes no difference to whether someone gets high or drunk, and that if they don’t have the cash they’ll just rob someone instead. People can, do and have reduced their alcohol and drugs intake based on finances and availability.

I work in a field improving outcomes for homeless people with mental health issues and addiction btw. I’ve sat in Parliament and listened to a liver specialist doctor rubbish the “they’ll drink high-strength cider anyway, no matter what the price” argument [this was regarding proposals for minimum pricing on alcohol, but the general point is the same - whether or not people will find a way to abuse drugs or booze if you make it more expensive for them]. He said he’s seen his heavy drinking patients reduce their alcohol intake at a more successful rate than his overweight patients lose weight, despite the fact that the latter group show more motivation initially.

People say, “oh well I don’t blame them for wanting to get high” a lot. While I understand the sentiment, I *hate * the idea that all we can expect for these people’s lives is something to numb the pain.

[Clothahump]

I don’t agree with it.

I’ve tried giving food to panhandlers and they reject it, almost violently. I’ve had far, far too bad shit based on drugs and booze in my life to even think about enabling others.

[AnaMen]

@alexandra

People say, “oh well I don’t blame them for wanting to get high” a lot. While I understand the sentiment, I *hate * the idea that all we can expect for these people’s lives is something to numb the pain.

Do you think we LIKE the idea?