I cannot believe this.......

[Seekingcreativity]

Originally Posted by Miranda Sebastian

Today, I was watching on the National Geographic channel, a program about alcoholics in the Seattle area. It depicted a program at 1811 East Lake, Seattle, Washington. No name was given for the facility.

In this program, homeless alcoholics living in the street are placed in a one-bedroom apartment, with a kitchen, and living room, and all the amenities necessary. The are allowed to continue using alcohol, and the alcohol is provided FREE. They can drink as much as they want, smoke as much as they want, they are provided with three-meals per day, and nothing is demanded from them. EVERYTHING IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE!!!! They are hoping that the alcoholics can feel safe, and start putting their lives together, but not much data has proven this.

They are not required to be responsible for anything......not even to attend therapy, where they can learn about their illness. What baffles me more than anything else, is that this program is paid by the taxpayers of Seattle.

Is this a City program, a Government program? I do not know.

Regardless of what type of program it is, I find it difficult to understand how the people of Seattle went along with it, when the statistics for recovery are very minimal.

One thing comes to my mind: On one of my visits to Seattle, (a beautiful state with beautiful people), on the Pike Street Market, that was about 10 years' ago, on my last trip, I noticed lots of Heroin addicts and homelessness.

1. Is this program the result of the City trying to hide the homeless...... from the tourists?

Let's hear your opinions.......thank you,

How do you qualify for this program and where do I sign up? What if I don't drink alcohol? Does there have to be any evidence to my substance abuse? So not fair!

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by Seekingcreativity

How do you qualify for this program and where do I sign up? What if I don't drink alcohol? Does there have to be any evidence to my substance abuse? So not fair!

I find it hard to believe that anyone without a serious pre-existing substance abuse problem would go through the steps necessary to qualify. It may seem 'not fair' but think for a minute about everything you're going to have to give up to establish your eligibility. You'd have to be really bad off to consider this an upgrade of lifestyle...

[Vinylly]

Originally Posted by Seekingcreativity

How do you qualify for this program and where do I sign up? What if I don't drink alcohol? Does there have to be any evidence to my substance abuse? So not fair!

WHAT !!!!??? Don't drink alcohol and no substance abuse???? Shusshhh..., you don't belong here and are very unwelcome. Just forget about signing up. But, then again, you can make New Year's resolutions and you can start on the first on January. Maybe by the end of 2013 they will open their hearts with tear-filled eyes, welcoming you home if you can prove you are a hopeless drunk and drug adict. Happy Happy New Year !!!!!!! k:

[theyreinphx]

Getting people off the streets reduces crime. This is harm reduction and allows people to rebuild their lives which would not have been possible anywhere else. Not everyone agrees with it but it works.

[sean98125]

We used to give homeless people jobs instead of alcohol.

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by sean98125

We used to give homeless people jobs instead of alcohol.

And in Russia they'd get both. In Siberia.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by Vinylly

There's even a smarter way; chase all the homeless back to Bellevue, put a heavy toll on I-90 bridge so they can't come back.

That toll is coming soon, the state is working on it now.

[garxhap]

"Do not ask for whom the bridge tolls, it tolls for you."