5 ms·

I think if we’re at the point where you think that the majority of homeless people are drug addicts, and that drug addicts are doing something “completely unnec

by akerl_ 5y ago

I think if we’re at the point where you think that the majority of homeless people are drug addicts, and that drug addicts are doing something “completely unnecessary because it feels good in the moment”, we’ve bottomed out the conversation.

civilized 5y ago
I had seen some reports that it was a majority. Looking again, I'm seeing more like 30-40% for alcohol and 10-30% for drug abuse. It is very common by almost all accounts. I am not squeamish about pointing out the nature of self-destructive behavior. I don't think it does anyone any favors to ignore things because we are uncomfortable with perceived implications. We can sympathize with drug abusers and their circumstances while recognizing that they are behaving in a self-destructive and often other-destructive way.
- mlyle 5y ago
  Maybe a lot of homeless poop outside would still happen. Maybe not. But until we make it reasonably possible for them to not poop outside, maybe we shouldn't assume it's all inevitable.
  - dismantlethesun 5y ago
    I don’t really SF. Are there public toilets, open storm drains or at least wooded parks for people to use instead? I’m not a stranger to public defecation, it happens a lot in my country but no one would be so shameless as to actually do it in the middle of a paved street or sidewalk.
    - mlyle 5y ago
      > open storm drains A lot of time this would put you in a street, or in a private parking lot where ownership would be trying to chase you off. > public toilets Relatively few. > wooded parks Just a few. Not close to everywhere homeless congregate.
      - civilized 5y ago
        > A lot of time this would put you in a street, or in a private parking lot where ownership would be trying to chase you off. When it's happening in the middle of the sidewalk, I fear that being inconspicuous is not a primary consideration for those doing it.
        mlyle 5y ago
        > When it's happening in the middle of the sidewalk, I fear that being inconspicuous is not a primary consideration for those doing it. Yah, I'm not saying being inconspicuous is a goal. I'm saying avoiding being hit by an oblivious SF car while pooping and avoiding being chased by the lot owner who is right there are motivations. On the sidewalk, it's no specific person's problem.
spfzero 5y ago
It is clear that the majority are drug addicts. That's known and uncontested. Whether that affects their motivation to find a sanitary place to defecate is maybe up for discussion, but I think it's a good bet that it does.

by akerl_ 5y ago

civilized 5y ago

I had seen some reports that it was a majority. Looking again, I'm seeing more like 30-40% for alcohol and 10-30% for drug abuse. It is very common by almost all accounts. I am not squeamish about pointing out the nature of self-destructive behavior. I don't think it does anyone any favors to ignore things because we are uncomfortable with perceived implications. We can sympathize with drug abusers and their circumstances while recognizing that they are behaving in a self-destructive and often other-destructive way.

mlyle 5y ago
Maybe a lot of homeless poop outside would still happen. Maybe not. But until we make it reasonably possible for them to not poop outside, maybe we shouldn't assume it's all inevitable.
- dismantlethesun 5y ago
  I don’t really SF. Are there public toilets, open storm drains or at least wooded parks for people to use instead? I’m not a stranger to public defecation, it happens a lot in my country but no one would be so shameless as to actually do it in the middle of a paved street or sidewalk.
  - mlyle 5y ago
    > open storm drains A lot of time this would put you in a street, or in a private parking lot where ownership would be trying to chase you off. > public toilets Relatively few. > wooded parks Just a few. Not close to everywhere homeless congregate.
    - civilized 5y ago
      > A lot of time this would put you in a street, or in a private parking lot where ownership would be trying to chase you off. When it's happening in the middle of the sidewalk, I fear that being inconspicuous is not a primary consideration for those doing it.
      - mlyle 5y ago
        > When it's happening in the middle of the sidewalk, I fear that being inconspicuous is not a primary consideration for those doing it. Yah, I'm not saying being inconspicuous is a goal. I'm saying avoiding being hit by an oblivious SF car while pooping and avoiding being chased by the lot owner who is right there are motivations. On the sidewalk, it's no specific person's problem.

spfzero 5y ago

It is clear that the majority are drug addicts. That's known and uncontested. Whether that affects their motivation to find a sanitary place to defecate is maybe up for discussion, but I think it's a good bet that it does.