Study toasts free drinks for homeless alcoholics

Luba · 01-08-2006, 01:51 PM

BOOZE: 'Markedly decreased' intake of alcohol by 11 studied reported
'Province' article Jan.6, 2006

OTTAWA--Free booze may improve the health and lives of homeless alcoholics and reduce their run-ins with police, according to study in Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Seventeen chronic alcoholics who drank upwards of 46 glasses a day over 35 years, including substitutes like mouthwash that led to unconsciousness, were offered a glass of wine or sherry each hour from 7a.m. to 10p.m. at an Ottawa shelter over 5 to 24 months.
Most of the 15 men and 2 women, average age 51 years, tried detox and abstention, but were unable to stay sober.
11 reported "a markedly decreased consumption of beverage and non-beverage alcohol, and most reported improved sleep, hygiene, nutrition and health".
More than half of the capital city's 1000 homeless abuse alcohol, suffer health problems, require emergency services, and have frequent contact with the police.
Participants in this study reported fewer hospital visits, down from an average 13.5 to 8 per month, and encounters with police fell from 18.1 to 8.8. The related savings per person for these services was $445 per month.

Star · 01-08-2006, 07:21 PM

that's all good but how can these people find work if they're drunk all day? shouldn't they be trying to put them into the workforce instead of giving them booze all day long?

this is what i don't understand about the homeless. programs. aren't there any programs out there that take these people on the street and give them skills so they can work and support themselves? teach them social skills, educate them and help them find work.

i don't know.

Merika · 01-09-2006, 08:52 AM

All I can say is that if I end up homeless....I KNOW where I'm moving!

Maybe because many homeless people are alcoholics and dug addicts....I would guess GIVING them liquor would keep them from petty theft and feeling crappy. I kinda doubt it's a good long term solution though.

I think we need some sort of weeding process/testing to determine which of these folks are mentally capable to holding down jobs and which ones aren't running from the law because they didn't pay child support or whatever. There are homeless people who totally deserve our financial support and mercy. Then there are the others....who are just sorry.

Star · 01-09-2006, 11:01 AM

i totally agree with you merika. something needs to be done here. whatever they're doing now obviously isn't working so time for a change.

Merika · 01-10-2006, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Star

i totally agree with you merika. something needs to be done here. whatever they're doing now obviously isn't working so time for a change.

Many from the larger cities on the east coast come to Florida for the winter. Due to the train lines....apparently it's easy for them to get here. On Christmas, we had to drive thru downtown to get on the main interstate and it looked like a PARADE there were so many on the sidewalks. There are several missions downtown.

Again, bad situations can happen which can cause someone to get down on their luck. I've been in situations where I was only a payment away from being evicted myself....so I do understand. But most of these people are single and I can't understand why a single person can't figure out a way to live in a shelter long enough to make a few bucks to rent a room and then go from there. There are day labor jobs all over town!

Star · 01-10-2006, 09:33 AM

i know! i don't understand it either. I too have been close to it many times. being on my own since i was 16 so you can imagine! but, i always got out there and found something to make a few bucks so i could have a roof over my head and a bit of food on the table.

I do understand the ones who are mentally ill, sick in some way or very old. in those cases, i think the government should step in and help them off the streets.

One of my old bosses knew a millionaire who decided to become a homeless guy. he gave all of his money away and decided that living life as a homeless is what he wanted to do. he's still homeless now. how's that for rediculous!!

a woman a couple years ago, got caught pretending to be a homeless person. she was making a living out of it. she made thousands of dollars peddling. she went to jail for it.

Ayla · 01-10-2006, 10:29 AM

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO BE HOMELESS? IF I HAD MILLIONS I MIGHT LIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IN A REALLY BIG HOUSE...BUT I'D STILL HAVE A HOUSE.

THAT'S CRAZY.

Merika · 01-10-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayla

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO BE HOMELESS? IF I HAD MILLIONS I MIGHT LIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IN A REALLY BIG HOUSE...BUT I'D STILL HAVE A HOUSE.

THAT'S CRAZY.

If I had millions...I WOULD be living in the middle of nowhere in a really big house!

I guess some people chose to be homeless because it's a way of not facing the responsibilities of life. If you think about it....if you can sleep in a shelter, get free food and just spend the rest of your time goofing off....maybe it's not such a bad thing. It would seem like a vacation to me. LOL!

Star · 01-12-2006, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayla

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO BE HOMELESS? IF I HAD MILLIONS I MIGHT LIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IN A REALLY BIG HOUSE...BUT I'D STILL HAVE A HOUSE.

THAT'S CRAZY.

i can't understand it either. what a putz. crazy! :roll:

i'd hate to be homeless. never knowing where your next meal is going to come from. never having any money so if you feel like having a pop or a bag of chips, you can't just go to the store and buy it. i'd miss the simple things in life.