If there's one thing I've learned from individuals in recovery from drugs and alcohol, it's that there's something about these substances (especially crack, it would seem) that really grip people and take over them. Yes, people need to take some responsbility for their actions (you can't always expect that someone will be there to pick you up when you've fallen), but I /do/ believe that all people, regardless of their circumstances, deserve respect because they are human beings, and along with respect, they deserve compassion, a warm place to sleep, food to eat, and medical care.
These people are survivors. If you have to fake a stomach pain to get a place to stay, by all means - I would do it, too.
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Date: 2003-01-22 06:36 am (UTC)These people are survivors. If you have to fake a stomach pain to get a place to stay, by all means - I would do it, too.