So-called “special programs” to save people from themselves

In society today there’s a tough balance between a hand-out and hand-up. I see a lot of people struggling with various issues, such as addiction, mental illness and homelessness.  When you look at their daily lives, once they have been in these situations for a while, you begin to understand why it is difficult for them to get out.

Let’s start with addiction, once someone becomes addicted their life becomes focused on one thing and that is finding the next bottle or drug of choice. I've seen many people spend all day trying to find a way just to get enough money to buy whatever their drug of choice is or a bottle. Some of them have to put in some serious effort and it makes you wonder if they had to work that hard just to get the money to buy the drug of choice, how hard would they work if they had a job with hope and purpose and were not addicted.

Then you look at those who are struggling with mental illness and the labels society puts on them and the medications they have to take just to make it through one day. Some even get into trouble and have to go through what they call “Mental Health Court” and are required to attend a number of meetings each week. Some of the restrictions from the outside seem very silly and I know they have to watch what they say to the judge or counselor.  I know that seems funny, they’re struggling with mental illness and they have to be careful with what they say. Sometimes I think the system is stacked against them.

By looking at the homeless, which could encompass addiction and mental illness, or for some it could be they are just going against society you see a different picture. Because of the generosity of those around them they are able to survive. You see once you’re on the street for a while you develop a system, you know where to get breakfast, you know where to get lunch and dinner and when winter comes there is almost always a warm place to sleep.

The problem comes when you are socializing with those who are suffering just as much if not worse than you are this lifestyle becomes comfortable and normal. In some cases they begin to prefer it.  I look around and see how much money we as individuals give to the people standing on street corner with their hand out, with their crudely written signs and the amount of money the government spends on so-called “special programs” to save people from themselves.  But most of these “special programs” don’t include helping them develop the skills to get back into society and learn to live what we call a normal life. 

They just make us feel better because we are not letting them starve to death.

There are a few private programs such as Union Gospel Mission, which provides an 18 month program that if you completed it you come out with better social skills and having learned how to cope in society and how to hold a job.

Most of our government programs just send out a check and they think they are doing the right thing but I suggest that there is something better and that is to provide people with hope and purpose. By sending them a check you take away their hope and their purpose and they only live to get by until the next check arrives.

Then there is the prison system, which do you realize cost the taxpayer $35,000 on average to house a prisoner for one year. In New York State it is $65,000 per year per person. (By the way 76% end up back in jail) What if we took all of this money that we are spending on “special programs” and prison cells and use it to create a similar model such as the Union Gospel Mission and many other private organizations have created around the country.  Maybe it would be money better spent.