What help is appropriate? (Homelessness and street begging)

Member Name: Zoekie

Product:	Homelessness and street begging
Date:	26/10/08 (57 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Helping a fellow human being

Disadvantages: My help could be to detriment?

I was always one of those people that felt guilty when I walk past a homeless person, or take cash from my bank for a night out, and a homeless person sits next to the ATM, and to make myself feel better, would always try to give them a few spare pounds.

But that has changed completely over the last few years since a very good friend of mine has started to work for a drug tretatment agency, and opened my eyes. My friend has enlightened me with stories of how her patients specialise in begging for money, using the fact that they are homeless, and the guilt felt by the rest of us, in getting enough money to buy there next "fix".

And it has made me think! Am I helping that person by giving them money, or am I pushing them further towards a slow death? It is a sad, but very real fact of life today, that most of the homeless scattered around cities and towns, are also in the grips of some sort of addiction. By giving them the means t fuel that addiction, I fear I might be as responsible for whatever happens to that person, as they are themselves.

Now I am not saying ignore the next homeless person asking you for help, but think what would be more appropriate help. Arm yourself with a bit of knowlege about relative organistaions operating in the area, so you could offer advice if needed, and consider rather offering something of more value to the homeless, such as a blanket, or a warm meal.

I would be interested to hear others opinion as well?

Summary: What is the best way to offer help to a homeless person?