Does Anybody Know ...

jimmi5bellies · 05-10-2005, 17:50

Just wondering really ..were i live we have 3 men who walk past my flat at least 3 times a day to our local shop. On each trip they come back with 8 cans of Carlberg Special Brew. They are at the shop at 9am, 12 noon and then late afternoon they get as many cans that they can carry. Its quite funny watching them staggering upto the shops. These blokes are harmless by the way and dont cause any trouble.

What i am wondering is, if they are on benefits and registered as alchoholics how much money do they get ? One lad dropped a huge wad of cash today but quickly picked it up.

Makes you wonder dont it, wouldnt it be far more cheaper if the social spent the money on drying them out and not feeding their "illness" .

simon · 05-10-2005, 18:18

I know of one such registered alcoholic and 3years ago he got more than enough money to keep him constantly stewed on booze....

He has nearly died many times......and costs the NHS a fortune as well

grego · 05-10-2005, 19:12

I dont know if these people get extra to feed their habits or not but it does cost the NHS a fortune to treat them, I think the money would be better spent on rehab but you cant force it onto people. I see a group of people sitting in the grounds of St James church nearly every day when I pick Ellie up from nursery and think its such a waste, but its what they choose to do, dont really know what the answer is.

K.S.H · 05-10-2005, 19:32

It used to be £10 a day but that was a while ago, probably about £15 now

grego · 05-10-2005, 20:40

Thats shocked me KSH. I had no idea it was soo much, quite shocking when you think of the people who cant afford to feed their families.

Neil · 06-10-2005, 05:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon

I know of one such registered alcoholic and 3years ago I got more than enough money to keep me constantly stewed on booze..

Now I know why your recycling bin is always overflowing with cans

WillowTheWhisp · 06-10-2005, 06:36

I'm amazed at this. I had no idea that alcoholics could actually get extra money for alcohol. It seems a bit odd to me.

I know it is an addiction/illness and that they can't easily decide to just stop drinking but drug addicts are weened off heroine on the NHS and I'd never doubted that the approach to alcohol dependancy would be the same.

It's totally contradictory to the approach to smoking too where there are the nicotine patches and what have you. Smokers don't get an extra allowance for cigarettes do they.

I wonder why there isn't some way to concentrate on trying to get them off alcohol dependancy rather than encourage it?

I can also see how it might cause resentment when other people are struggling to pay their bills and feed and clothe their families.

vorlon24 · 06-10-2005, 08:35

They should stop giving them money.

Food vouchers are the way to go, which have exclusions for tobacco and alcohol. They probably get the rent paid by the council, have no council tax to pay, so that leaves the water and electricity/gas. I am sure there must be some way of ensuring that is paid for without giving them the cash.

If it is costing the NHS a fortune through allowing these people to make a choice, take that choice away - it is you and me paying for it, after all

jimmi5bellies · 11-10-2005, 14:18

Well yesterday i thought i was illucinating from my Tramadols

One of the drunks was walking past my house, fag in one hand, booze in the other and his mini-me was hanging out cause he was walking and peeing at the same time. For some strange reason when he was outside mine he decided to stop and turn to face my window !

I have suffered nighmares all last night

told the fella about it and he fell about laughing .