[jayswin]

If I had my way we'd be trialing the **** out of various ideas that have worked/shown promise across the world, and spending more tax dollars on solutions. I do everything I can including having lengthy conversations with addicts much to the chagrin of people I'm with late at night, lol.

But they've always been excellent conversations, they're honestly mostly great people that have lost their way and have no control over what they're doing now. But I also sometimes give them some money after said conversations, so by Sliver's standards I'm literally a "dope", so I don't what the solution is, either. But I try to put in my time and be involved in the homeless world as much as I can.

It's really heartbreaking and shocking when you really sit down with these people, how many of them are 2-12 months removed from working and living in homes/apartments. Also, how many of them got hooked on harder drugs AFTER losing employment/housing, contrary to public perception that drugs always come first.

One of the most jarring quotes I heard from someone who was clearly a little high was "You either do drugs or don't when you join the streets, then you do drugs". It was so simple yet powerful. (I was also pretty drunk, so the exact wording may be off).

Edit: yes I realize my interactions are very ill-advised and not an option for most people. My point was just to get involved in ways that aren't just complaining that they're there and asking for their removal.