Having raised a child who is a drug addict, I wouldn't trust anything I heard from a homeless drug addict. I have heard the sad stories that led to them being on the streets. I've also known other people with drug addicts in their families who, like I, would love to welcome them back into their homes, but cannot tolerate the drug use and lying any longer.
What you hear from the parents: I love my child, but then they started using drugs. Then they were drinking all my expensive alcohol and replacing it with water. Then they started stealing my money and computer and other easily fenced goods. Then they were coming home at 3am and trying to cook pizza in the oven, still inside the box!! Trying to burn my house down while high! Finding them passed out with a needle in their arm. Finally said, quit or leave, they left.
What you hear on the street: My parents are such assholes, they beat me, they took my stuff, they were so suspicious of everything, they don't trust me, I didn't do anything!! So when they kicked me out, I ended up here on the streets and it's tough, man, I only use drugs to kill the pain and numb the cold.
"99.9% of these people have families who love them who would jump at the chance to help them get back on their feet."
Having worked with homeless myself, I highly doubt that, many of them come from very bad homes.
Having raised a child who is a drug addict, I wouldn't trust anything I heard from a homeless drug addict. I have heard the sad stories that led to them being on the streets. I've also known other people with drug addicts in their families who, like I, would love to welcome them back into their homes, but cannot tolerate the drug use and lying any longer.
What you hear from the parents: I love my child, but then they started using drugs. Then they were drinking all my expensive alcohol and replacing it with water. Then they started stealing my money and computer and other easily fenced goods. Then they were coming home at 3am and trying to cook pizza in the oven, still inside the box!! Trying to burn my house down while high! Finding them passed out with a needle in their arm. Finally said, quit or leave, they left.
What you hear on the street: My parents are such assholes, they beat me, they took my stuff, they were so suspicious of everything, they don't trust me, I didn't do anything!! So when they kicked me out, I ended up here on the streets and it's tough, man, I only use drugs to kill the pain and numb the cold.
Either way, sending them back home is not an option.