Hospitals fund drunk tanks...

emily_mom · Feb 7, 2003

Just because they have a problem does not mean that they deserved to be locked up. Alcohol does not make you a criminal.. I think it's wonderful that at least SOMEONE cares about them....

Kristy

passing thru · Feb 7, 2003

I've witnessed the homeless crowding the ER's when cold, hungry, or tanked. They know the hospital has to process them, in the meantime one of us could be waiting our turn to see the ER doctor with our chest pain, or our sick child. What is the solution?It seems to me that some problems have no solutions.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2003

Why would you think they need to be in jail? Granted they don't need to be crowding up ERs, that's not appropriate. But jail isn't the answer either.

sjoe · Feb 7, 2003

3rd shift writes: "Why would you think they need to be in jail?"

Very simple. There are laws in San Francisco about public intoxication and against drinking in public.

and: "jail isn't the answer either."

I don't see any of the "caring" churches, non-profit agencies, etc. offering to take care of these people while they sleep it off. If you have a better way, I hope you will propose it to a local non-profit (or whatever road you decide to take) and set up a program in your own area, where the same problem no doubt exists.

emily writes: " Alcohol does not make you a criminal.. I think it's wonderful that at least SOMEONE cares about them.... "

Alcohol does not make you a criminal, no, but your BEHAVIOR might, and does in these cases. The SF County Jail is already sufficiently full of these people, as are the sidewalks and alleyways. Why should the taxpayers be obligated to provide food, housing, medical care, etc. for people who don't wish to take care of their own responsibilities?

Don't kid yourself about someone caring about these drunks. This is an economic move, since otherwise the hospitals are mandated to evaluate and provide medical care for them, which would cost a lot more than a "safe place."

NMAguiar · Feb 7, 2003

Why would you think they need to be in jail?

Sorry, I wasn't clear enough in my original posting. I was referring to why aren't the intoxicated being taken to the local police drunk tank these days to "sober up?" They weren't always arrested, but they were tracked in most jurisdictions as to the number of times they were apprehended -- those "frequent flyers" could then receive help through social programs.

As far as intoxication in public, citations are sufficient -- more serious crimes are already clogging the courts. But these people certainly don't need to be clogging the emergency rooms!

Keep in mind: emergency rooms and smaller hospitals are closing in California due to lack of funding. This sounds like an appropriate area to reduce costs. The money spent by these hospitals sounds like money well spent.

NMAguiar · Feb 7, 2003

Just because they have a problem does not mean that they deserved to be locked up.

Well ... actually ... it does mean they need to be locked up -- for their own safety. Their psych issue will hopefully be worked out under the morning sun over a cup of dark java.

passing thru · Feb 7, 2003

Yes, sjoe, that does make sense. The economic rationale. Some cities have diminished the numbers of homeless that they have. I think they harassed them until they moved on. San Francisco seems to attract them with its kindness and climate.

My granny used to tell us that "there's always been people who won't work, and there's always will be. There's always been beggars and drunks, since the beginning of time. And there will always be people like that. That is why we have Christian charity. For the ones who won't change (or can't), we HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM." She didn't resent caring for people like that. She accepted it as a fact of life and allowed a few dollars of their income and a few hours of her week in volunteer work to see to it that they did not go hungry, were warm and clothed, and "not abused." And gave thanks that she was not in their shoes.

colleen10 · Feb 7, 2003

I have to agree with SJoe on this.

Unless the inebriated person is in serious emenent harm due to intoxication they have no business being in an ER just because they have no where else to go.

I imagine the reason that they get picked up or called in is because they are sleeping out in public spaces, which where I live is illegal and can get you landed in jail. Heck, I have seen police officers wait outside local bars and arrest patrons for public drunkeness if they so much as trip on a pebble.

I don't believe jail is the best place for them either unless they are a harm to others because why should the jails get over run and play baby sitter to drunks, much the same way an ER would have to. But, if there is no public or non-profit agency designed to deal with this problem, I'd rather see them detained in jail than taking up space and wasting resources at the ER. And all they usually get is detained. It's not like they get arrested and sent to prison.

I have heard that San Francisco's homeless population is out of control, wasn't it a few weeks ago that the people of the city voted against payments made to homeless people?

I doubt the hospitals are putting this plan into action out of the goodness of their hearts. This is probably the most cost effective way for them to handle an immense and growing problem.

emily_mom · Feb 7, 2003

Originally posted by sjoe
I don't see any of the "caring" churches, non-profit agencies, etc. offering to take care of these people while they sleep it off. If you have a better way, I hope you will propose it to a local non-profit (or whatever road you decide to take) and set up a program in your own area, where the same problem no doubt exists.

emily writes: " Alcohol does not make you a criminal.. I think it's wonderful that at least SOMEONE cares about them.... "

Alcohol does not make you a criminal, no, but your BEHAVIOR might, and does in these cases. The SF County Jail is already sufficiently full of these people, as are the sidewalks and alleyways. Why should the taxpayers be obligated to provide food, housing, medical care, etc. for people who don't wish to take care of their own responsibilities?

Yeah, well sjoe, extreme stress can also cause people to flip out. Does that make every over-worked, stressed out RN/LPN a possible criminal?

Obviously you don't understand that not ALL homeless people are lazy or "don't wish to take care of their own responsibilities" as you say. Many have mental problems and have been deserted by their families. They have no one to lean on in their time of trouble.

Imagine if you hadn't bathed in a month or changed your clothes. Forget about brushing your hair or teeth or putting on deoderant. Now go apply for a job.

While there are always people looking for an easy way out or a handout, please don't generalize all homeless to be a detriment to society. I think the only detriment is that we've ignored this for so long.

Kristy

emily_mom · Feb 7, 2003

FYI- I volunteer at a homeless men's shelter and also for Feed My People foodbank/shelter.

What have YOU done to help?

NMAguiar · Feb 7, 2003

I love your avatar Emily_mom. You've sure opened a can of it today!:roll