When is enough enough?

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Permalink Reply by Zee on April 26, 2009 at 2:17pm

I chose to ignore most of the previous posts. Sorta in contrast to the quality I usually see in Zoomers.

Just a few points. A lot of homeless people have millions of $$$$. Many even have homes. They chose to live how they see fit. I'd make a guess that a lot of homeless who appear to be strange, are actual schizoidfrenics (sorry about my spelling) not taking their meds. Quite a few can be uncontrolled bipolar I & II. I believe strongly that those who sincerely want a shot at a more normal life will purseveer (my brain is not in my head). There are many many homeless people who have turned their lives around. There are all kind of agencies out there dedicated to people with mental health issues and addictions. LOTS. It doesn't seem like anything is being done but oodles is. The people who are most likely to go or become homeless have a system in place.

Also realize that there is the seasonal homeless. South in winter, north in summer. I firmly believe that you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink and you could provide a banquet and nobody eats it.

And lastly some people like that style of life. Mostly it is the alcoholics and druggies who don't do well even if you handed them everything.

Alas there is going to be more and more homelessness with todays economy. I have all my camping gear in one place, just in case. And yes there are the types that can only earn minimum wages and pay taxes. These are the people deserving a subsidy or a helping hand to change their lifestyle, not to just give them handouts.

All these homeless, pick em all up in a truck and put them to work picking up windblown garbage, shovelling for seniors. There are many creative ways that this can be addressed. But I guarantee you taxes are the factor i.e. why should I work my azz off and it all goes to taxes. I can't afford rent so why bother?

There is an answer, I just don't see it clearly yet. Also realize that unions play a mega part in this. Paying people to work so they can pay their rent and food would displease the unions because then high wage earners in that aspect would suffer because someone would do it cheaper than the unions set.

If someone really wants to turn their life around give them an outside job at minimum wages and don't tax them. Mind you I know that this will not work for everyone.

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Permalink Reply by Nellie on April 29, 2009 at 4:30pm

I watched a program on Frontline on PBS last night about the number of mentally ill (mainly schizophrenics) who are jailed for crimes committed while they are not taking medication. When they are sent to prison they are medicated, normal human beings and then when they are released they relapse. There are very few halfway houses that will take them and life in a shelter is hard. Every night they make you take a breathalizer in the shelters and if it indicates you have drank alcohol you are not admitted. That is when the schizophrenics get into trouble and are re-arrested.

Here is an interesting link. It gave me a real insight into homelessness. A mentally ill patient looks an awful lot like a drunk.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/released/view/

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Permalink Reply by Zee on May 1, 2009 at 7:46am

Nellie: poor patient compliance (ability to take their medications properly) is in effect in ALL medical conditions. The problem is that people take their meds like they are supposed but then they feel good and their mind tells them they are better and DON'T NEED the meds anymore. Very common agenda for people who truly aren't in charge or who fail to absorb that the meds makes them better so keep taking it.

I've seen this a lot with (as you say) mental health issues (its really hard for bipolars too), asthma, diabetes, etc.... Its the hardest thing to "sell" patient compliance = +ve results when they are feeling better. I know its taken me years to convince asthma patients of such and I've seen it in diabetes a lot. Its called due vigilance regardless of how you feel. The meds make you feel better and so you would think that they'd all get it but alas they don't.

I think rights should be earned and not a given. Many people (parents mostly) think that they deserve respect BUT respect is earned, not a given. So many people just don't get it.


Nellie said:

I watched a program on Frontline on PBS last night about the number of mentally ill (mainly schizophrenics) who are jailed for crimes committed while they are not taking medication. When they are sent to prison they are medicated, normal human beings and then when they are released they relapse. There are very few halfway houses that will take them and life in a shelter is hard. Every night they make you take a breathalizer in the shelters and if it indicates you have drank alcohol you are not admitted. That is when the schizophrenics get into trouble and are re-arrested.

Here is an interesting link. It gave me a real insight into homelessness. A mentally ill patient looks an awful lot like a drunk.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/released/view/

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Permalink Reply by Zee on May 1, 2009 at 7:49am

Did I take my meds today? You betcha!!! I have unipolar depression and I've been to hell several times because I thought I was cured!!! I've committed myself to the responsibility of taking my meds and to do anything else that will benefit me. I feel that education re conditions is a MUST tool not just for the sufferer (mmm is this really a word?) BUT for the public in general! And I have learned to accept my condition, I work hard on it and that's why I appear "normal" (is that really a word, whatever does it mean????) I may sound like I'm fey but I'm rather be able to be light hearted about my condition and serious than serious all the time. Besides I have a very medical sense of humor!!!!!

So EVERYONE take your meds today!!! lol

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Permalink Reply by David McLean on August 8, 2009 at 9:09pm

I hear you/
Dave

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Permalink Reply by Joyau Dubois on August 8, 2009 at 9:29pm

I don't think all homeless people are mentally ill, or alcoholics/drug addicts (which is perhaps one & the same thing). I've seen a lot of people out on the street who have fallen through the cracks of our society, who, for one reason or another, have been unable to keep jobs and thus provide for themselves.

It has also been my experience that these 'entitlements' that everyone talks about being freely handed out don't really come that easily to many who deserve them. And a lot of people who might deserve them and need a little help, be it food stamps or a temporary shelter, are too proud to go and ask for it. Or they don't know how.

I'm sure most of you heard about the homeless-camp that was created in the Sacramento CA area earlier this year, mostly of people who had once been middle-income/middle-class, who had homes and jobs and because of the economic turn-down, have lost both. These people congregating in that camp in Sacramento were not mentally ill or addicted to anything. And they weren't able to get 'entitlements' that secured a roof over their head.

Personally, I think it can happen to anyone--becoming homeless. I think we need to all feel a little more compassion and a little less judgmental.

There are many serious problems that people confront in their lives, that cannot be readily explained away by a political position, as seems to be the fashion these days. If we, as a society, are held to a higher standard of compassion, a lot of these problems will be more easily solved. And fewer, perhaps, created.

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Permalink Reply by Connie on August 10, 2009 at 3:44pm

It seems to me that if we know that mental illness and addictions are the primary reason for homelessness, we could come up with better solutions than allowing them to die in the streets.

I'm not suggesting institutionalization as we did in the past, but surely there could be supportive living situations provided to assist them. When the institutions were emptied, the dollars were scooped by governments for other purposes, and were never put into the necessary community housing and services. It's a sad comment on our society that the most vulnerable, who come from all socio-economic situations, are left on the streets without the support and housing they need.

I know of one such person who has housing and food paid for by his wealthy parents, but nonetheless ends up in snowbanks with frostbite because no one watches out for him on a daily basis.

Supportive, non-judgemental housing is needed, imo.

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