http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/05/u...05homeless.html
An article on July 5 about an apartment building for homeless alcoholics in Seattle referred incompletely to its financing. Private sector investors, who receive federal tax credits, contributed to the cost of the building; it was not solely financed with government funds.
Please read the article before commenting-
What do you you think about this "out of the box approach"
I cant believe its been going on for 6 yrs now and I (we) never heard or mentioned it- -I am so used to posting here- I didn't put it on the Alcohol site-
Google up eastlake alcohol house or something like that in Seattle for more info- there,s a bunch of links- -
It sounds similar to the heroin experiment in England, except after receiving thier dope they didn't stay there- -these homeless people are offered a place to stay- -
Now sure about how I feel yet. I dont want to judge, but certainly a "Seattle" idea- (I mean that in a good way to those who live out there- )-
-But dispensing booze ? I'm not sure- Homeless and sick ,they ration out the booze for these residents every day. I guess its safer than roaming the streets, & living under a bridge , but there is no attempt at sobriety- -Interesting if nothing else-
I'm suprised I have not heard of this either. I do already have a pretty Unpopular opinion about this and other HARM reduction techniques. I did read the full article. I support making it safer to partake of dangerous things i.e drugs/drinking. We see very little of this approach in the USA. The USA wants to focas on Abstinence only programs which have been proven the world over to work for a very small percent!. I personally think it works better for the whole of society to accept people are going to do drugs/drink...so if you can not stop it I favor making it AS safe as possible...i.e free needle exchange, clean places to shoot, homes for alcholices. By doing this it makes things better on everyone. YES we need rehabs we need NA/AA we need to educate but, untill a person is ready 4 those things they don't work. Harm reduction is a nonjudgmental approach that attempts to meet people "where they are at" with their drinking or drug use. Instead of demanding perfect abstinence, this pragmatic approach is supportive of anyone who wishes to minimize the harm associated with a high risk behavior such as drinking or drug use. Harm reduction accepts that high risk behaviors such as recreational alcohol intoxication are part of our world and works to minimize their harmful effects rather than simply ignore or condemn them. Harm reduction does not attempt to force people to change in ways which they do not choose for themselves. Harm reduction is a compassionate approach whose primary concern is the increased well-being of its constituency. Moreover an overwhelming body of scientific evidence shows that harm reduction works!!!!!
Jack: you may not know my Dad is a Vietnam Vet, chronic alcoholic, crack user, off/on mostly on homeless. He gets vetrans disablity checks every month just under 1,000 dollars. I have a soft spot for homeless alcoholics it's a hard road. A few years ago my Dad was walking over a construction site on a beam he fell 25 feet off the beam into a ditch broke both arms one leg spent a long time in a nursing home. He has fell down city steps rebroke one arm one leg. Counless drunken injuries attacked another man with a knife. I would have less heart for the homeless if not for my Dad. I can't count the rehabs he has been to. Every rehab he comes out hits the bottle again. I'm sure he will die on the streets.
ld be greatful for a house that looked after him. Most of these homeless people would not stay there if they had to stop drinking. My Dad would rather drink then have a roof. I almost forgot Dad was shot 2 years ago....recovered fine. As he gets older the drink is making him less mentally stable I can hardly stand to talk to him he has no grasp on reality.
ld be greatful for a house that looked after him. Most of these homeless people would not stay there if they had to stop drinking. My Dad would rather drink then have a roof. I almost forgot Dad was shot 2 years ago....recovered fine. As he gets older the drink is making him less mentally stable I can hardly stand to talk to him he has no grasp on reality.
I know your Dad has had a tough road, and may have or not have- been a good person to look up to-
But the fact that he is a vet should not be understated
Much respect from me - - Ive know too many vets who are still having a tough time and many more who have passed- some here> some 10,000 miles away all those yrs ago-
Don't forget I only missed the draft by a few yrs myself, many older friends didn't-
the house is a very unique idea- -i FEAR THAT BECAUSE THEY DONT FORCE THEM TO STOP- - IT WILL EVENTUALLY SUCCUMB TO PUBLIC PRESSURE -i HOPE NOT- at the very least let it be- it seems to be saving big money by - no drunk tank stays, no disorderly person court days, no emergency room costs and the biggie> Tourist dont have to see Seattles homeless- - Its a idea that deserves to be tried and played out- -
(damn cap buttom- - f- it)
But the fact that he is a vet should not be understated
Much respect from me - - Ive know too many vets who are still having a tough time and many more who have passed- some here> some 10,000 miles away all those yrs ago-
Don't forget I only missed the draft by a few yrs myself, many older friends didn't-
the house is a very unique idea- -i FEAR THAT BECAUSE THEY DONT FORCE THEM TO STOP- - IT WILL EVENTUALLY SUCCUMB TO PUBLIC PRESSURE -i HOPE NOT- at the very least let it be- it seems to be saving big money by - no drunk tank stays, no disorderly person court days, no emergency room costs and the biggie> Tourist dont have to see Seattles homeless- - Its a idea that deserves to be tried and played out- -
(damn cap buttom- - f- it)
I have heard of this place. It's been on the news here (I live across the water from Seattle). Not sure how I feel about it..alot of pros and cons. Best pro being that it gets them off the streets. There are so many homeless, addicts/alcholics in Seattle. It's a big problem there as it is in most big cities.
I just don't know. If it were one of my relatives or friends...would I feel any different. Most of the homeless are beyond addiction, they have mental illness's that most of us don't even understand or can grasp.
I think you should post this on the alcohol board.
I just don't know. If it were one of my relatives or friends...would I feel any different. Most of the homeless are beyond addiction, they have mental illness's that most of us don't even understand or can grasp.
I think you should post this on the alcohol board.
I've never heard of a story like this before. But I think and I agree that the apartments fit into the "housing first" philosophy. Funding such homeless center from the taxpayer and its an experiment is new for me. But why don't we just focus on the idea of relocating and providing a better homeless shelter? Rather than caring those "unsympathetic homeless" people?
Helping the suffering, and providing safety and damage control is a good thing. In the states we have this insane, puritanical, unholy idea that people need to be punished for drug use and providing comfort and help to addicts and alcoholics 'enables' them, and makes their lives somehow worse.
I don't know, maybe it is enabling them. For sure it enables them to live a better, cleaner , safer and more healthy life. BUT OH NO! NOW THEY CAN CONTINUE TO DRINK AND DRUG, instead of suffer and get sick and commit crimes and end up dead, in the hospital or in jail, and drink and drug.
Without realizing it, that is an insane , prevailing attitude, even among some addiction Dr's .
(Anyone ever been cut off of sub, etc for a couple non narcotic dirties & ended up in nasty WD's & gone straight back to using dope or pills just to get out of WD's).
It's absolutely true, LEARNING RECOVERY AND TO LIVE DRUG FREE IS THE BEST. But so many addicts are truly sick and suffering, miles from recovery, and societies punishment (War on drugs) makes their impossible position more impossible.
It is true that when we are actively using we are not quite sane, but what excuse is there for the insane, counterproductive (except for those who profit enormously from these laws) drug laws.
I don't know, maybe it is enabling them. For sure it enables them to live a better, cleaner , safer and more healthy life. BUT OH NO! NOW THEY CAN CONTINUE TO DRINK AND DRUG, instead of suffer and get sick and commit crimes and end up dead, in the hospital or in jail, and drink and drug.
Without realizing it, that is an insane , prevailing attitude, even among some addiction Dr's .
(Anyone ever been cut off of sub, etc for a couple non narcotic dirties & ended up in nasty WD's & gone straight back to using dope or pills just to get out of WD's).
It's absolutely true, LEARNING RECOVERY AND TO LIVE DRUG FREE IS THE BEST. But so many addicts are truly sick and suffering, miles from recovery, and societies punishment (War on drugs) makes their impossible position more impossible.
It is true that when we are actively using we are not quite sane, but what excuse is there for the insane, counterproductive (except for those who profit enormously from these laws) drug laws.
I saw this on tv good place you ask.me
