A great idea: A homeless shelter that lets homeless alcoholics keep drinking
Here in Downtown Memphis, home of the Mid-South Alcoholic Supply World HQ, we have a large number of homeless people who sleep on the streets and in parks. We have several homeless shelters that would take them in, so why do they refuse these services? Because most shelters prohibit the consumption of alcohol, and in many cases require guests to take part in treatment programs for alcoholism. Many homeless are not ready to trade their addiction for a place to sleep.
A shelter in Seattle had a novel idea: Why not let the homeless keep drinking? So they opened a shelter that not only has no treatment program requirement for alcoholics, but actually allows drinking on the premises. Needless to say, this has been somewhat controversial. However, studies have indicated that daily alcohol consumption fell by 2 percent a month for those in the shelter. “The longer the participants stay in the housing program, the less they drink,” said Mary Larimer, a psychology professor at the University of Washington who led the study.
There were benefits to the public as well. The study indicated that the participants were less likely to end up in jails and emergency rooms at taxpayer expense. Before the shelter opened, the 95 individuals who participated cost the public more than $4,000 a month each for their care and housing. After 12 months, the taxpayers’ bill had been reduced to $958 per person on average.
Not a bad idea… offer help unconditionally, and let people come to the decision to conquer their demons when they’re ready. Maybe more cities should take this approach.
