Alcoholics Paid In Beer? Amsterdams new idea, yay or neigh?

[matt<3ketamine]

http://rt.com/news/street-cleaning-alcoholics-amsterdam-975/

So what do people think of this story?
Seems it's working for some and if it keeps the addict busy I believe they are less likely to be abusing in any way as much as they might if in a normal scenario over here etc, I'm quite for this but obviously rules and guidelines would need some work

Alcoholics, who are taking part in the project voluntarily, say they are happy to be there as it gives their lives “some structure”.

"Lots of us haven't had any structure in our lives for years, we just don't know what it is, and so this is good for us," Frank echoes"

But some addicts might like a stronger drink so what could be done to help them as handing out bottles of vodka is not HR

But what alcoholics like is that Gerrie and the Rainbow Foundation gives them light, 5 per cent beer, not 11 percent or 12 percent.

This project is not the first experience for the Foundation. It was initially set up to help heroin addicts 35 years ago.
One of its projects - “drug rooms” in Amsterdam – lets drug users to use drugs in a safe environment.

So yay or neigh, whatcha tink eh?

 

[Foreigner]

Well, drugs can be currency too. This just seems like a barter system. If the alcoholics don't want to get better and just want to keep drinking then maybe this is okay. I'm just wondering what it would mean for the community if some of them are violent or abusive drunks.

 

[matt<3ketamine]

That's what I was thinking, I feel sorry for anyone that's crosses one that is since they have been fed their first five in the day to get them on their way (one bottle of whiskey and 5 beer for the road gentlemen?)
This also will end up filling a lot of hospitals with various liver problems

 

[Raasyvibe]

Stupidest thing I've ever read in my life. Is this a joke?

Why not just give them more CASH so they can buy some beer and fags anyway... and feeling some financial reward and gain.... it might just also give them some hope of actually QUITTING or cutting down their addictions.

EDIT - The whole thing reeks of exploitation of alcoholics. The system discriminating against those at the very bottom. Paying them in beer and fags, that they will get in cheap, means they get out of paying the minimum wage to street cleaners, also forcing them to keep their addictions for the sake of the money saved. Fucking disgusting.

 

[knock]

why is raas the only other person to see how horrible this is? Jesus. I mean jesus.

edit: ok smurfy sees it too.

yes my eyesight's getting worse.

 

[Bodda]

Does Holland have the same system as Portugal in terms of using gear?

Personally I think people that are drunk are some of the most obnoxious people on Earth, I can understand trying to cope with addiction etc but giving people more booze & deffo in Amsterdam is a terrible idea.

I don't understand how wino's can't function, now don't get me wrong I know addiction very well but I've managed to hold down hard manual labour jobs before with a 1 gram a day gear habit.
Goddamn Nanny state, crazy left wing liberals make me sick at times.

 

[Sammy G]

I don't understand how wino's can't function, now don't get me wrong I know addiction very well but I've managed to hold down hard manual labour jobs before with a 1 gram a day gear habit.

Have you ever had the DTs? Makes a heroin rattle look like fun. No joke.

Goddamn Nanny state, crazy left wing liberals make me sick at times.

Eh?

 

[knock]

yes bodda as has been stated often and is no more an urban myth for repetition, DTs can kill.

No grocer's apostrophe here Sam!

 

[Sammy G]

No grocer's apostrophe here Sam!

Hahaha.

 

[Bodda]

OK detox to fast off booze can kill, I'll take your word for it.
I'm sorry but I have NO sorrow for people with alcohol addictions, it's a rubbish buzz, usually tastes terrible, makes you feel so ill the next day, makes you rude to other people, as a general rule makes people fight, piss in the street etc.

I got enough empathy for nearly all addictions but wino's make me angry, if the DT's can kill why get addicted in the first place & in Amsterdam too where Psy things are openly sold, jesus maybe even pick the gear as withdrawl aint going to kill you.

 

[knock]

Hahaha.

And of course, I can see your deletes :D 10/10 for effort

 

[Sammy G]

I'm sorry but I have NO sorrow for people with alcohol addictions, it's a rubbish buzz, usually tastes terrible, makes you feel so ill the next day, makes you rude to other people, as a general rule makes people fight, piss in the street etc.

Your personal preference is your own business. Other people enjoy the effects, plus it's ingrained in our culture and you don't have to break the law in order to obtain it. And it tastes nice if you're not a fucking pansy.

As for fighting and pissing in the street, it's only a minority of alcoholics who do that. The vast majority are productive members of society.

if the DT's can kill why get addicted in the first place

Why did you get addicted to heroin when you can't support your habit? Try to empathise a little.

jesus maybe even pick the gear as withdrawl aint going to kill you.

Again, people don't generally choose addiction consciously as a lifestyle. They usually fall into it. As you should be aware.

And of course, I can see your deletes :D 10/10 for effort

You were quite right to point it out! I would've done the same, as you know.

 

[Bodda]

Your personal preference is your own business. Other people enjoy the effects, plus it's ingrained in our culture and you don't have to break the law in order to obtain it. And it tastes nice if you're not a fucking pansy.

Sammy I've drank, snorted, smoked etc stuff that tasted bad trust me. I used to do bucket bongs of soapbar & smoked bash gear a few years ago which I'm sure you know how bad it tasted.
True on saying "Your personal preference is your own business" but I have to disagree with the point of "plus it's ingrained in our culture" alot of stuff is ingrained in cultures all over the world, I believe people should open their eyes & minds to have a look at the culture they are raised in & decide if they want to follow it or not. If Jenkem or plugging Datura was ingrained in our culture I wouldn't follow it because of social conditioning & it was the done thing in the my social group etc.

Why did you get addicted to heroin when you can't support your habit? Try to empathise a little.

I "chipped" for years, I never set out to actually get addicted. At the time Sammy G I could support a habit & a very expensive habit at that too, you must think I've been poor all my life which I aint as BHM can tell you.

Again, people don't generally choose addiction consciously as a lifestyle. They usually fall into it. As you should be aware.

True there, but if booze was my chosen poison & I knew the DTs could kill me I would avoid using it to such a level where I ran the risk of addiction.
You have your view & I have mine, yeah I may be a bit to the left on 99% of my views on freedom to choose your buzz but I just find the use of alcohol a total offence & it gets to me in a real way.

I maybe look at people with alcohol issues in the same way that alot of EADD looks at bag heads & after reading the thread "....and the damage done" on this part of BL I can see ALOT of junkie hate, even Mental Kenny was throwing his smack hate hat into the ring the other day.

If I have offended anyone with a booze issue it wasn't my intent, I'll drop out this thread as I can't add anything.

 

[Mental Kenny]

Exploitation that's what it is, a way to get labour cheaper than minimum wage.

 

[Sammy G]

I "chipped" for years, I never set out to actually get addicted. At the time Sammy G I could support a habit & a very expensive habit at that too

See? Most alcoholics begin by drinking socially, or just to unwind, and usually well within their means. It's not like they wake up one day and say "fuck it, I'm going to be a lush".

Exploitation that's what it is, a way to get labour cheaper than minimum wage.

Yep. And it's all the more sinister because those doing the exploiting are doing it under the pretext of 'helping' those they're exploiting.

 

[Mental Kenny]

"....and the damage done" on this part of BL I can see ALOT of junkie hate, even Mental Kenny was throwing his smack hate hat into the ring the other day.

If I have offended anyone with a booze issue it wasn't my intent, I'll drop out this thread as I can't add anything.

You must have misunderstood my post in that thread as I don't have any "smack hate". None