Reply To: Wino's and other general wastes of space congregating in St Giles Car Park
[quote quote=115110]Some of what I have seen on this thread I find disturbing.
We are talking here about a vulnerable group in society, many with psychiatric illnesses who find themselves in a position that we all could were circumstances different. I have no doubt in my mind that none of these people want to be in the position they are in and many I am sure would be more than happy at the opportunity of employment, psychological intervention and accommodation. Alcoholism and drug addiction is an illness that has become a modern day epidemic that needs to be tackled a lot more.
The fault here lies with Government. Budgets for mental health support and drug and alcohol intervention continue to be slashed. When I see people congregating in this way I find it upsetting – not because the people disturb me by their behaviour but because it shows we have failed as a society to protect the unfortunate.
If we want to do something about the situation then get involved with the projects that aim to help. For example the “Feeding the Roofless” project, the homeless shelter in Holt Road (which does fantastic work but with extremely limited number of beds) and also the work of the Salvation Army locally and nationally.
Moving these people somewhere else doesn’t fix the problem. Are we really that apathetic to accept the solution to the problem as moving these people to somewhere we can’t see then ?
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Well said. I agree with these comments.
