A story appearing in my former hometown Catholic newspaper, The St. Louis Review, tweaked my conscience about something we’ve all experienced in our lives.
It seems that a synthetic form of marijuana (K2) has hit the streets, becoming the preferred drug among the homeless because it is plentiful and very inexpensive.
A spokesperson for the St. Patrick Center which provides housing, employment and health programs for the homeless of the St. Louis Metropolitan area issued the following statement: “...we strongly caution all who feel compelled to give money to people in our region who are panhandling. We know, due to our many years of experience and first-hand accounts, that they may use your money to support bad habits, including substance abuse. K2 is legal and can be bought on the streets for as little as two dollars, and even a small donation can put a life at risk. Though not usually fatal, K2 is very dangerous to anyone who takes it."
The statement continued: “"We're not advocating that people not support the homeless population. Rather, we strongly suggest that your resources would be better used when given to the service agencies that are trained and ready to help people in crisis, such as those with drug addictions. When we can engage people into programs and case management, we can help reduce the strain that is placed upon our first responders and hospital systems.”
"They need help", the center's statement said.
After reading the story, I confess that I thought of the numerous times I had been approached by homeless people and beggars. I thought how often my immediate reaction was one of annoyance. How ready I was to judge these people who had the gall to invade my life with their woeful stories of personal tragedy or failure.
I remembered the occasions when I was moved to reach into my pocket and give a dollar or two to either help them or just get them away from me so that I could continue to be on my way. I remembered as well those times when I simply walked quickly by without the slightest hint that I had either heard or seen them.
Who of us hasn’t been approached by the homeless on the street or in our cars at intersections reading the cardboard, scribbled pleas for assistance for a “homeless vet” or a “mother with starving children”.
In those moments, each of us has been confronted with the ageless dilemma: do I give and perhaps enable this person to continue in such a terrible lifestyle? Do I ignore their plea? Do I say something or do something positive to assist? Do I simply go on my way and not get involved?
And whether or not we do or do not offer them assistance, just the memories of these moments can continue to haunt us and prick our consciences long afterwards.
With apologies to Shakespeare, the question is: “To give or not to give.”
I am grateful to Joseph Kenney, the Review reporter, who wrote the story. I’ve been thinking about this ever since reading the article.
One of the staff persons at St. Patrick Center suggests that people not necessarily avoid giving to people asking for money, though he said it might be better to offer them a fast-food restaurant gift card. Other suggestions are recommended. Numerous programs serving homeless and housing programs need support. Criminal Justice Ministry programs are unique because they stay with people even when they relapse several times, unless the person is a threat to others or themselves.
Then, there’s always the best alternative and that might be to have a conversation with a person who approaches asking for money, he said. Just listening might be what they really need and want. Someone to notice them. To pay attention to them, even for a moment.
I don’t know what I will do in every situation, though I did go out this morning to buy some McDonald gift certificates to keep in my wallet from now on. I also wrote a check to Catholic Charities here in the Diocese of Phoenix, asking whomever to see to it that someone around town has a nice Christmas dinner.
Will I have the courage, however, to sit and listen to a street person, perhaps over a cup of coffee or a fast food meal? I don’t know. But I am grateful for a news story that has me thinking about these things.
Funny, how the Holy Spirit gets our attention and reminds us that God loves us and desires that we love each other, especially those who are the most troubled and lonely in our midst.
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