As a psychiatric mental health nurse, I have worked a number of years with homeless individuals who have a major mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Because I know firsthand how devastating those illnesses are and how they rob people of not only certain healthy choices but also useful resources, I am always struck with ambivalence when I drive past someone holding a sign at a corner.
Because it is against my values as a nurse to potentially put someone in harm’s way by giving them money that is likely going to be spent on cigarettes, if not something more harmful, I have decided to hand out new socks instead.
I am sure there are many homeless individuals who would not use money to purchase unhealthy substances, but I am not able to determine who they are. So I feel better providing something useful to those in need, and from the reaction I get, so do they.
Sandy Gioro
Portland
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