HARRY’S GUEST SPEAKER SERIES POLICING WITH STAN MASON
After the police wrongly shot up a dog I rescued, I had the pleasure of befriending many of the homeless here.
I was not afraid of anyone. I knew what I’d encountered through dealings of my own sister- a plethora of mentally ill people. When you don’t know that you are sick, or that you’ve gone without medication, you counter your symptoms however you need. For far too many that means street drugs. It’s a fast downward spiral from there.
I have reached out to city and county to talk to them about what we, as a society, need for these people. However, No One wants to talk about, much less be on the forefront of it, and set the example for state and nation.
No, that may mean having to spend money for better resources for medication and psychiatric needs.
I met people that had good jobs and families, only to be abandoned by them because of mental health issues. They’re caught in the middle between medication costs and high price of drs.
I met people that don’t realize what’s normal and not because it’s all they have known for lack of parental help growing up.
That would include mental health to kids growing up wayward.
What I do know is they all had the same feelings as we do, regardless. They don’t like begging, but no one will give them job. Why? No address is one, sure, but our government- from city, county to state, has taken their ID’s in some form or another, and they are stuck. I remember getting my purse stolen… DPS wanted a SS card to get a license done, SS wanted a license. Birth records wants a license. Or Passport- which I did not have on me and was expired, which could not be that, either.
Finally I literally stood and screamed that someone’s got give here! One took an insurance card finally, and pay stub, and electric bill. Guess what? A homeless rarely has any of those!
I started helping a few get their prison ID’s with the help of a friend with the AG’s office.
Anyhow, we as a society, have the ability to take care of our own, but we need to advocate for them. They are voiceless. No one cares. The women are forced into sex trades by drug dealers.
A lot of them lie, but their sense of reality has been warped, and they have long term trust issues.
So while we say don’t give them money for more drugs, it’s those drugs that also keep them barely sane.
We Have To Build and Staff better mental health facilities, period! It’s Not a money maker, and never should be looked as one. The reward is giving life back to someone in order to be productive and stable.
Government does not want this. It’s up to citizens.
Parnell and Tetens will get right on it! SMDH