Best Way to Co-Exist with Addicts?

[Gail]

There are many more drug addicts in our town than there used to be, and I am running into them more these days in public places

While I can recognize the "dance" and the picked-at face of the crystal meth drug user, I know little about the drugs people are using these days

What is the best all-round way to deal with an addict when you approach one or are approached? At work, we've had them come into our store, steal from us, use our bathroom to do their business, want to use our phone and generally trespass, never buying anything.

At church they had begun to sleep under an outside staircase, and the crime in the area rose, making the neighbours complain to our pastor to do something.

What works? How can we co-exist without us (the non-drug using, law-abiding part of society) becoming victimized or being forced to accomodate them when they show little sense of boundaries?

I appreciate any help- thanks!

[Neil D]

Gail,

These are hard questions....and it seems to me that you [generally speaking] have been given an oppertunity in the disguise of a problem....

I urge you to see out the oppertunity and help these transiants [sp]in our society...It will make your church's involvement with the community more public....

[bevin]

I volunteer on my town ambulance dept. We had a fascinating training session one night presented by a man who was involved with (a) a large Massachussetts ambulance dept, and ( a big city drug rehab center

I strongly recommend you find such a person and have them come and talk to your congregation one Saturday evening

/bevin

[Gail]

Good suggestion... thanks