Money help: i gave money to an obviously drug addicted panhandler and i feel terrible about it. - Help.com

2.25 doesn’t buy anything. You did it out of self defense. Either give her some food stamps next time or just let it go

I wouldn’t worry about it, she needs help but you was not in a position to help her. She will be temporally happy with what you gave her and wont get help with her addiction tonight, but would she have anyway? Maybe if you didn’t give it to her she may or may not of used violence against you or someone less able later on in the night.

The advice of not giving them money is meant to educate people who feel sorry for them, it is not meant to make people who give them money out of fear of possible loss of personal safety feel guilty.

If you want to help them go through a government recognised charity but don’t feel guilty about tonight.

Okay, I am having a really hard time with you thinking that since she asked you for a bus fare, she must be on drugs.

That is not always the case. I used to be a panhandler and no, I wasn’t drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

Please do not assume what the panhandler is going through because what they are going through just might be what you have never ever been through before in your life.

I’m not asking you to just fork over the money. No, that is hardly the case. What I am trying to ask you to do is not to assume what the panhandler is going through.

Where I am, $2.25 is enough for a bus zone but is it enough for drugs? No.

I am sure that even the smallest amount of cocaine, marijuana or any other drugs will be higher in costs than $2.25. I’d say at least $50.

Just please let it go but remember this, not everyone have a job or a steady income. Just because they don’t have a steady income doesn’t mean that they’re alcoholics or drug addicts. It can be something else.

Please think about this for some time before saying “Oh I gave some money to a panhandler who’s obviously a drug addict”. That person just might not be a drug addict and yet you’re smearing their names.

Have some sympathy for people who are going through a very difficult time.

Please?

The quote was not “Oh I gave some money to a panhandler who’s obviously a drug addict”. it was “i gave money to an obviously drug addicted panhandler”

This person is NOT saying that the panhandler was a panhandler and therefore a drug addict, the person WAS saying the panhandler was OBVIOSLY (ie visually evidently) addicted to drugs.

I think we can all learn a lesson in not jumping the gun.

Oh really? Okay, do tell me what a drug addict looks like.

It is quite obvious when someone is not sober, you don’t have to be an expert on the matter.

Well, let me tell you a little story there, Splat.

From time to time, I acted drunk. My words would be slurred and I would look like I am drunk.

But I have not touched a drop of an alcoholic beverage and here I am, acting like I am drunk. How is that possible?

The reason is simple… the medications would cause a heavy drowsiness, making me look drunk and my words would be slurred.

But I could not hear the words either and no, that’s not because I’m an alcoholic or a drug addict. I am deaf and welcome to the real world.

I think you should take a lesson on how to tell the difference between a drug addict and someone taking a legal medication that would cause the side effects.

Sheesh, I’d think that you have never been out in the real world and that you have never ever seen the effects of any legal medications on people.

Tsk… tsk… tsk… perhaps if you see someone acting drunk or acting like she/he is high, you should really keep your lips zipped shut.

No offense, Splat, but people with certain problems that have nothing to do with drugs or alcohol do not want to hear your opinion.

Oh, and take a lesson on drug addictions, will ya?

I think I’ve seen quite a bit of ‘the real world’ thank you very much. Do you seriously think it is more likely that the panhandler concerned was deaf and on medication than drunk or taking drugs? The person who posted this was genuinely concerned for the panhandler rightly or wrongly, if you are an example of a panhandler you can see why he/she might have been intimidated. You are quicker to judge and condemn ironically than the person you have a problem with for the same thing. For your information I have been attending alcohol and drug lectures for the last 7 years.

You have a knack of putting words into peoples mouths and then lashing out on them for the words you’ve used. You clearly have a lot of unresolved issues and I hope you find peace.

I am not going to explain something if you are not going to listen to what’s going on in this world.

Why bother?

According to you that is..

The fact is people do need help, but giving money on the street is not the answer.

The fact is he/she was not wrong to feel afraid or suspect of someone who looked like they were on drugs of actually being on drugs.

I try to be understanding of everyone, I was just troubled that you was not very tolerant of the poster.

*Sigh*

Let me tell you a story that happened a long time ago but it caused something and it is happening today.

A politican went undercover to see how much he would make while pretending to be homeless. When he got home, he found out that he had gotten enough money as someone would have gotten if working a job.

He announced to the media that all the homeless people are actually getting quite a bit of money. He also implied that the homeless are lazy.

As a result of this announcement, all the homeless cannot afford to eat, much less get something to drink. People where I live would think that a normal person should be able to work a part time job, if not a full time job.

People who used to be so generous and kind are now ignoring people who need help the most. They will say that they will donate to the charity that will help the homeless. The problem is that the charities do not help every homeless person on the street.

So before you start thinking that I’m not very tolerant of the poster, please think again. If you have a job, and earn enough money for the needs, you are considered to be a lucky person.

I do not have a job. I cannot work a full time job because of my health problems. So before you start accusing me of every thing you can think up of, just think of this - I am under the poverty level right now and every bit of money would go a long way in taking care of the household expenses.

Yes, I am willing to work a full time job but as I have recently discovered, I cannot work an active job.

So for people out there who would not help people in need, thinking that giving money to the charities are helping these people, they are wrong.

I have not have much luck with the charities. The only support I get is from the local clubhouse as well as the disability benefit. Deduct the monthly rent from the benefit, which is $700 Canadian dollars, as well as $20 Canadian dollars for re-payment of the security deposit, it leaves me with barely enough money to meet my needs, let alone my wants.

So before you think that I’m not being very tolerant of the others, think again. Not everyone are as lucky as you are and you should feel blessed that you have the things you need. I don’t know about the things you want, but just please feel lucky you can afford what you need.

Now, just back off and leave me alone because you do not know who I am, or what I have been through in the past few years.

I will no longer comment on this thread because all you have to say is that we all have to be careful or these panhandlers could pose a danger to us.

Just one word - HA!

Until you open your eyes and see what people with mental illnesses, disabilities and more go through, I cannot help you.

Good-bye.

I would have thought considering what you’d been through you be more considerate towards others, instead you just attack whoever seems in your mind to be in the remotest of ways controversial to the ideals of the people group you view as closest to your own.

You are in my opinion an offensive and immature individual. Maybe if you stopped wallowing in self pity and appreciated what you do have you’d be a happier person. When was the last time you smiled? I bet not in the last 24 hours at least.

And for you’re information, I work flipping hard for what I get which isn’t much considering the hours I put in, the time away from home, the potential dangers and the loss of personal freedoms in the name of maintaining a democracy from would be aggressors and fighting the drug flow from drug profiteers.

Cya!

I don’t care about what you think of me.

So back off! just freaking back off and leave me alone!

Peace.