Vigil honors Fairbanks homeless who died of exposure
Originally published Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 12:09 a.m.
Updated Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 10:12 p.m.
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FAIRBANKS — Seven people who died from exposure were honored in a vigil beside the Chena River on Friday night.
Those seven people, who were cradled and given a name at birth by a mother, were nearly invisible to most residents when they froze to death last winter.
Some died in parked cars, others in stairwells and bushes just outside of major downtown buildings.
Seven illuminated candles were placed in the river to honor Richard Pitka, Julie Tritt, Carleen Mae Peter, Susie Rose Simmonds, Cheryl Folger, Jeff Thurmond and Aaron Smoke.
More than 50 people quietly trickled into the parking lot behind the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church as bagpipes played “Amazing Grace.”
Members of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Fairbanks First Presbyterian Church and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church were present, as well as a few people who were there to give testimony about being homeless.
A woman came up to honor Arnold John, a man who drowned in the river just in front of the Episcopal Church this winter.
“I have a lot more of my family still living on the street, but I want to thank you for doing this,” she told the audience.
Cindy Fields, a coordinator of the vigil, said a few words about the seven individuals she knew and loved from the Soup Kitchen that she operates 52 weeks a year.
“These last few years, I’ve had a very hard time closing the doors at 2 p.m. because I know that many of the people we serve have to go out in the cold,” she told the audience.
Jeff Stringer and Veronica Marshall got to know Fields at the Soup Kitchen when they were homeless.
Stringer and Marshall have been sober for several weeks, and now they are engaged to be married and are living in Fox together.
“We are living proof that your life can be turned around,” Stringer said.
Stringer and Marshall expressed their gratitude to Fields and the vigil attendees for their help.
Edna Syfko was there to honor her aunt who was found dead in a local slough last winter.
“I was an alcoholic, and I know what it’s like to be out there,” she said. Syfko left her home in Barrow and lived on the streets in Fairbanks. Syfko now lives in a cabin, is sober and is going back to school.
“I struggle with it everyday, but I know I can overcome this,” she said. “It’s very difficult for me to pray for some kind of answer when I’m just too chicken to do anything about it.”
As the illuminated candles flickered in the chilly arctic wind that served as a reminder that winter is near, Fields remarked that the seven candles served as a wake-up call to the community.
“These candles are calling us to do something that we’re afraid to do,” she said. “I can forgive, but I can’t forget. This is a humanitarian need not a cultural issue.”
Members of the Ecumenical Faith-Based Mission for the Homeless of Fairbanks will meet today from 1-4 p.m. at the Chena River Convention Center to discuss a damp shelter during winter months. The meeting is open to the public.
Community Discussion
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The lady's name was Julie Tritt, not Julie Tripp.
And thanks "voicefortepeople" for putting your politically motivated comment on this story. Your voice doesn't represent me.
Ok, I know this isnt the right place to say this but can an administrator please block voiceforthepeople from posting ever again? Im looking at his/her profile and its full of useless spam. Feel free to delete this post.
Wonderful! Someone finally puts a link on here that is Useful and Some of the “Water Carriers’ For the Useless-One “Obama” calls it SPAM !
So you dont care about these homeless people dieing on the streets? All you care about is ignorant political tactics? You sir are pathetic.
When did the bumbs become the homeless? Sitting under bridges and riding trains is as old as this country, only now the name has changed. Drunks are always looking for someone else to take care of them. We have a very good rescue mission here, but you have to follow the rules, something some people just dont wont to do. Its their choice, if they die it is not my falt.
Some people die young, some people die old, but in the end we will all die. It is a waste when people choose to shorten their life span. Alcoholism is a managable disease, a person must choose how they deal with it and some people choose to die from it. The knowledge that each of us will die, is the burden humans carry. Use your time wisely.
To those who lost loved ones, I am sorry for your loss. Thank you to those who organized this memorial; you are a blessing to society. I pray that a solution for the homeless may be found so that we don't have any more senseless deaths this winter. God be with you all.
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Nice Pavel. What if you had a family member listed in this article? Would you still be saying the same thing in the public comments?
My best friends uncle was one of the seven listed, and Im glad there was a small vigil for him and the other 6. It is a sad thing to realize that it could have been prevented. Maybe not, I do not know his story or how he ended up on the street. All in all, its a very sad situation, mixed with a very harsh winter environment. Those two mixed together dont usually give good results.
Thank you to the organizers who put this Vigil one; we pray for the families left behind.
If I left a family member on the street it would be because they chose to not get sober/clean and try to get better. It is probably why your friends uncle was on the street. The DNM has published a few stories of homeless people who died from exposure, each time the family interviewed to tell the world what great people they were, how they loved life and being free. And oh yeah, they also thought meth was better then sliced bread and vodka was positively the best breakfast beverage ever invented.
The families left them behind, at some point you have to live your own life and stop enabling an addict. And that is how they end up on the street, blind drunk at -40 and passing out in the bushes.
There are resources availible to these people and they knew it. They just chose to keep drinking/using drugs. There is no sympathy from me for people who willingly destroy their lives. There shouldn't have been a vigil for the suicidal seven. Have a celebration for the homeless people who got clean, got off the street and are trying to make it. Help those people keep going, help them to make it all the way back. Those are the people I want to read about, not seven dumb drunks who killed themselves.
To clarify why I feel the way I do, I've watched it happen. I saw two high school friends become addicted to meth back in 1994 and saw the total devastation of their families as they tried to deal with it. Eventually there was nothing more they could do, my friends chose their addiction over all the help and support (including stints in rehab and jail) from their families. In the end, they had to walk away and let their children go.
I last saw one of them in 1995, at age 17, strung out on meth down on Alvarado Street in Monterey, CA offering me sex for twenty bucks outside Plumes Coffee House. I got emailed her obituary in 1997.
Pavel should hope he/she never stumbles, never errs, never needs human compassion. If karma exists, Pavel seems to have several lifetimes ahead of him/her as a beetle or mosquito. My family extends our sympathies to the friends and families of the many who have died homeless on the streets. As a community, we should unite in our compassion, not in our ignorance about how addiction works, nor in misguided hatred towards those who suffer from addiction.
Alcoholism isn't something you choose, its something that takes hold of you. Addiction is not as simple as choosing not to drink. Not for an Alcoholic.
True nobody can help them until they choose to seek help, but its still not as simple as "its their fault". It is an illness. Addiction is as much physiological as it is choice
Let's have a vigil for the guy who is in jail because he ran over a drunk passed out and dying in the middle of the street last winter. He is more of a victim than these seven. (I know, he had been drinking himself, but he was guilty of DUI, not homicide. He would probably have run over her if he was stone cold sober.) I am all for helping those who want help and are willing to help themselves, but we all make choices and have to live(or die)with the consequences.
This issue isn't nearly as black and white as some people are trying to make it out to be. As Isonova pointed out, Alcoholism is an addiction, it's not something that people can just stop for a night so they can stay at the Mission. Many people who are alcoholics also have concurrent psychiatric problems and begun drinking as a way to self-medicate. Psych meds can be VERY expensive, and monetary/medical assistance isn't available to everyone.
You know that the rescue Mission charges 10 dallors a night.It's not free.And saying that it is there won't help.
If or when they open the Damp shalter I hope they offer some kind of treatment for those poor souls.
To those who lost family or friends.I'm very sorry for your loss.
Many of the commenters seem to provide a good reason for their comments. I was always taught that people have a good reason as a front BUT the real reason is hidden. Our goal should be to attempt to figure out their REAL REASON
In my opinion, many of theese comments are racist and show a demeaning attitude and lack of respect for Alaska natives.
Akbychoice, if one follows your logic you should not be justifing the drivers behavior. He did the crime, let him do the time. In the mean time maybe you should ask yourself why you are so angry over people you do not even know. Let the dead rest in peace.
Sadly, you are d----- if you do and d----- if you don't. One minute some of you folks are screaming for someone to do something, and when some step forward to offer solutions, all you have is negative things to say. I too want to thank those that not only held the vigil, but are also holding a summit today to talk solutions.
Seems easy for some you to be so judgemental. Walk a mile in there shoes (no, not literally). May open your eyes!
Again lets also offer treatment or at least AAA meetings.it might not work but some times all it take is the thought of some one caring.
The people who want to create the Damp Shelter are projecting, THEY would not want to sleep out in the snow/40 below.
These addicts/homeless choose to be this way. I say choose specifically because over the years, my family has employed some of these men that you see on the corners begging for a hand out. I know that they are capable of working and maintaining a place to stay but the stress and responsibility is too great and they turn back to drinking/drug use. I know that choose may still seem strong but it a good word, yes being addicted to alcohol/drugs is a hard habit to break, but a lot of people are out there that have recovered and it may be a struggle everyday but they succeed.
But they do not want help, and any one who thinks they should give them help are crazy! There are places to go here in Fairbanks to get help, and they do not go or they have rules that they can not follow THEY need to want help.
If they are out on the corner begging for coins, then they DON'T want to get better, they want to get waisted. Don't give them money, you are enabling them.
One of the guys you see at the stores, used to work for me and I gave him a place to stay, and after he turned back to alcohol, I went to clean up where he stayed and found that a lot of our things were missing, he sold our stuff for liquor! We even sent him to see his parents in Idaho because he wanted to get away from the elements around him, he stole from her and made his way back up here.
If this Damp Shelter does come about, it will become a problem for the church.
The addicts can not appreciate anything that they get, not even the coins you toss at them, they say under their breath, That's it?
We need to stop enabling them
"Alcoholism isn't something you choose, its something that takes hold of you. Addiction is not as simple as choosing not to drink. Not for an Alcoholic."
They choose to not get help. I don't think anyone wakes up and chooses to go get hooked on meth or alcohol or heroin or anything else.
freedarfur--if you read my comment closely I did say he was guilty of DUI, and that is what he should be punished for. And I have no idea where you get that I am angry about any of this. I just stated my opinion. As a matter of fact, I do know the family of one of the seven in the story. You should stop trying to interpret hidden meaning in peoples posts. You are not very good at it.
Squarebanksmom you want to leave them out on the streets to die.That really nice of you.Okay so you tried and failed to help one person.Did you encuorge him to seek treatment?Did you ever find out what triggered his relapse?
The idea here is to at least insure that they don't die on the street.If you see someone in a ditch and drive by at 40 below and they die you can go to jail for it.What's so diffrent about the homeless.Not all of them are CI's.
Two years ago there was a man who wandered around town he had no where to go and had been released by the mental health hospital.I don't know what happened to him but I do know that he never hurt anyone and was always helpful.He'd hold the door open at gas stations for those who had there hands full.
There is not one place in town that's open to those who really are in danger of dieing from the cold.The Rescue Mission charges ten dallors a night for adults and seven for for kids.If there are other things out there I don't know about them.
This attude of they don't matter needs to go.To let even one person die of cold is wrong.
I agree 100% with both pavel and hairbrain. These people choose to be addicted to alcohol, meth or whatever. I myself am an alcoholic, which is why I made a decision NOT to get drunk anymore. I used my brain, it was easy. I personally am very sick and tired of hearing about homelessness and how the church wants to help out. BS!! The church wants handouts from you and I to continue running their shelter making it easier for lowlife lazy a-holes to live the lifestyle they have. It never provides any REAL motivation for these bums to move on with their lives.
All those folks coming to FBX lately with their little cardboard "god bless" signs make me want to puke! And most people giving them money are church-goers who just want to feel better about THEMSELVES. "Oh, I feel so much better cuz I just gave someone cigarette and booze money." STOP IT!! Being homeless in FBX is about the dumbest thing I've ever considered - move to Florida where you won't freeze! OR...take control of your OWN life, stand on your own two feet.
The older guy and his girlfriend begging by Fred Meyer west smoke tobacco constantly. And a couple days ago, I saw her eating an ice cream cone in one hand, and a cig in the other, headed into Freddie's to get some booze. All at about 2 pm in the afternoon. They live behind the Sunrise bagel, back in those trees. WHY!?!?
As long as these church organizations continue to make it easier for people to be so incredibly worthless, it'll never go away.
Do you suppose some of these people chose to be raped as children? Do you suppose they chose to loose a loved one tragically at a critical time in there life. Do you suppose that chose those that were suppose to love and care for them instead violated them in some way (mental, physical, verbal). Do you know what triggers addictions? Some of you think it is all about choosing to pick up a bottle or not. There are often underlying factors that you too would find life difficult to live. Should they get help, of course. It just isn't easy to deal with the crap that got you there in the first place. I have loved ones in different stages of addiction. They try, and fail and try again. And God bless them for continuing to try. What keeps them trying to get better is the knowledge that there are those that care about them. Those of you who choose to judge instead of understand are no help!
"To let even one person die of cold is wrong."
But if they choose to kill themselves with alcohol and cold weather....
To leave a person down on his luck in the cold is wrong, we need to help those people. This article isn't talking about those people.
The article is talking about seven people who chose to kill themselves with alcohol/drugs and cold weather.
well said Charvanmar.
"They try, and fail and try again. And God bless them for continuing to try."
And you would have full support in the community (or at least from me) to keep on helping them try.
What are you supposed to do when they stop trying? What are you supposed to do when you offer them help and they refuse it?
This article doesn't talk about people who were still trying, it talks about people who stopped trying.
Any one who die's of cold this winter on the streets is some one who was/is loved by some one you want to tell then next of kin?
it's not right to let even the CI's die in a snow bank.Talk about being cold hearted.
I know, if all the church-goers would just pray more, then I bet God could solve everything. WAKE UP! That sort of mentality will get you nowhere. God bless, God bless, God bless.
You know what, charvanmar - of course I know what triggers addictions, but to throw in terms like "rape"! As children? As a God freak, you've no doubt heard about all the child abuse cases from WITHIN the church?
All the priests who have "raped" children? You appall me! EVERYONE has tough times and issues in life, yet only a small percentage of our society goes on to ruin their lives completely? You don't know what you're even talking about. Using words like "rape" means you don't understand the true situation.
EVERYONE loses(which you misspelled BTW) a loved one, that is always a critical time in one's life. Yet, again, only a small percentage go on to ruin their lives.
When an organization exists to support and manage this problem of "addiction leading to homelessness", it only exacerbates it. And God, as we all know, always needs more money to do the good Lord's work.
To the nay-sayer bloggers:
This vigil was a heart felt private event which took no public funds, and offered homage to people who suffered their private hells, and died miserably with little public acknowledgement of their time on Earth. What could be wrong with that small recognition?
It takes a lot of damned gall for some of these posters to offer nothing but cruel and rude comments on the sad passing of other human beings.
Perhaps they find it cathartic, though it is hard to imagine how. They reveal holes in their own humanity which we can only hope will one day be filled by a moment of truth larger than their own, small, self-involved, and apparently very abundant lives.
FreeDarfur: “Alcoholism is a managable disease, a person must choose how they deal with it and some people choose to die from it.”
Pavel: “7 homeless people chose to commit suicide via drinking/cold and we hold a vigil? … They just chose to keep drinking/using drugs. … the suicidal seven … seven dumb drunks who killed themselves.
wife228: “I"m sorry but this was the life they chose”
You all speak from total ignorance. You have no concept of what it is like to be caught in the grip of an addiction. True, people choose to take the first drink. But there comes a point for some where it is no longer a choice, but a compulsion that they cannot control. They do not get help because they cannot get free of the alcohol long enough to be able to even think. They do not choose to live this lifestyle. Every one of them WANTS to be free. I have been told by someone who lived that life for many years that they live in fear of dying from alcohol. They know that their drinking is killing them, and yet they cannot stop. It’s easy to say “They refuse to get help” when you have never walked in their shoes.
MrGreen, are you actually implying that children who are "raped" are somehow not innocent victims??! You are disgusting!!! Are you implying that somehow these children were to blame???
I happen to know for a fact that at least one of the individuals mentioned was raped repeatedly as a young child. Is it any wonder that person turned to alcohol to escape the pain and the horrible memories?
alaskaflower - You claim that people exist who cannot understand addiction, yet I find that EVERYONE has an addiction. It's how you let that addiction control you that separates those of us who WANT to remain alive from those few who do not. In other words, if someone really wants to die, they will find a way, no matter what "excuse" anyone tries to use, addiction or otherwise. And just because you believe in Jesus doesn't mean that humans don't perish, we happen to do it everyday in fact. Some of us just choose to do it in a final "hey, look at me" sort of way. It's actually quite selfish, but whatever. It's just too bad you religious-types have to fall for it.
"MrGreen, are you actually implying that children who are "raped" are somehow not innocent victims??! You are disgusting!!! Are you implying that somehow these children were to blame???"
-alaskaflower
WHAT!?!?!? I implied nothing of the sort! Read it again. I never said they were not victims, nor did I express views of their blame. Attacks do you nothing. Rape is an illegal and horrible crime. But you will not use it to defend your case. MANY people are raped, but most deal with it responsibly without inflicting major damage to themselves. Anecdotal only, the vast majority of these homeless folks are simply picking up the crumbs of our incredibly wealthy society, and they've figured out how to use the churches to do it.
alaskaflower says - "You all speak from total ignorance. You have no concept of what it is like to be caught in the grip of an addiction. True, people choose to take the first drink. But there comes a point for some where it is no longer a choice, but a compulsion that they cannot control."
Yea, I guess no one in this country drinks at all....wait, no , that's right, it's the NUMBER ONE drug used in this country(if not the world). So I guess everyone should be out there homeless then, since so many folks are caught in that "grip of addiction". Or how about addiction to shopping with credit cards? Can that be an excuse too then? And people addicted to cigarettes? How about those addicted to God? Can that spiral out of control?
You are the ignorant one.
Sure would have been nice to know this was going to happen as we adopted a little girl from one of these ladies. We knew how/when she passed away and would have loved to remember her and the special gift of life she gave us!
Ak Phil-- Thank you. After reading a few of these "know-it-all"smart a.. remarks it was good to hear a kind word.
And to the rest of you---
"There but for the grace of God, go I".
Thank you, charvanmar, for saying things that need to be said.
It is the sad truth that many who suffer from addictions are seeking escape from the emotional pain and degradation of childhood experiences that no child should ever have to endure. Even sadder, most of these horrible experiences were inflicted upon them by loving family members who, in the grip of alcohol, did unimaginable things to their children and other relatives. It is sadder yet that those children grew up to seek escape in the same substances, having learned no other way to cope.
It is sad that these folks died.
It is a shame they were not placed under guardianship by those weeping. As for those who sold them the intoxicant(s) they need a good flogging and their liquor license permanently revoked.
Those selling alcohol know the buyer is an addict and for few bucks profit they sell it anyway.
Funny thing, when this happens the cops never seem to find out who sold it!!!
I bet a murder 1 charge would sober the seller right up! :)
Again, using the excuse of alcohol addiction and rape to explain the homeless problem. Have any of you ever been to a major city that actually has a problem with this? Rape is NOT one of the major factors.
And alcohol addiction is only inflamed because these people get tax-free money from those who feel guilty about their own wealth(again, usually the very religious).
I have first hand knowledge of this issue - I lived in a major urban area in the midwest. Guess what? Getting to know some of these so-called "homeless street people", you come to find out that they do quite well for themselves. I met a few who were traveling the trains while I was in high school in fact. These three "bums" had more cash on them then I had ever seen at the time. They bought my friends and I steak and beer and we showed them where the lake was to bathe in. Yea, they had problems alright.
So by claiming that the problem is due to a FEW sad stories is very far off. But by pulling on the heartstrings, the church groups get more funding. Sorry, but it's true.
Please Mr. Green-
enlighten us poor folk as to where this "church" is that gets money to give to the "bums" you speak of?
Might it be the one YOU don't go to?
PLEASE do not presume to second guess any thing you have no REAL idea about.
As far as I know ( and it may be a bit more than you in this regard) no God fearing, Jesus Christ following and proclaiming "Church" CAN get money/funding for specifics from any governmental agency.
At least from the tax-paying government people who DO give a care about these "bums", let them donate. What's it to you? Go back to being a stick in the mud and leave those of us that DO care alone.
You really aren't doing much to change our minds or even giving food for thought when you rant about this issue.
Close your eyes, close ears, snap your purse strings shut and go on with your life.
The world will continue to turn and life WILL go on with out you.
God bless you-
Peace
Baaa
"It takes a lot of damned gall for some of these posters to offer nothing but cruel and rude comments on the sad passing of other human beings."
It wasn't a sad passing, it was passed out drunk in the snow. It was seven human beings who quit trying and embraced the drugs and alcohol. That is NOT a sad passing.
Listen it happens due to many reasons why. it just happens,
please make appology to Julia Tritt FAMILY If you wish to honor her death, since you brought a lot of bad memories to the family and probably got them upset, by misspelling her name, HONORING IS TO RESPECT FAMILY ESPECIALLY THE NAME, THANK YOU
by the way she did not TRIPP,
Its a nice gesture to honor those and remind us or for those of you wish to think twice before drinking to pass out in the cold
I'm sorry, Mr Green, but this is NOT a major city, nor is it the midwest. This is ALASKA, and, like it or not, we have a very REAL problem with child abuse and neglect that is destroying the lives of many innocent children, most of whom, if they follow the generational pattern, will end up turning to alcohol and drugs for escape. Why do you think there are teenagers killing themselves at an alarming rate in Alaska? Seven times the national average!
The stark, ugly truth is that alcohol can turn people into unthinking zombies who use their children's bodies to put out their cigarettes, who use their children and other young relatives as handy sex objects, and who sometimes think it's cute to get a five-year-old to drag on a cigarette or to drink alcohol.
I know people who started drinking alcohol as very young children because there was nothing else in the house to eat or drink. Add to that the proven fact that some ethnic groups have a proven genetic proclivity to addiction, and what chance does that child have, growing up in a place where everyone drinks?
We have a VERY SERIOUS problem in Alaska that is unique. The SOLUTION to this problem is not the subjet of this article. But the RESULTS of this problem are horribly addicted people who have turned to alcohol to escape the "private hell" that they were forced to live, and are now over their heads in an addiction from which they cannot escape.
Help is available. And there are those who do eventually seek help, and find freedom from their addictions. In the meantime, these are human beings who have been victimized all their lives. If a warm place to sleep on a cold winter night will keep them alive, then they just might find their way to freedom and go on to live a productive and happy life.
My uncle Richard Pitka died last year. We were at the vigil last night to raise awareness and to honor him. I wish that the people who post these comments realize that they are talking about a man who did have a family and a home. We did love him. He had problems. Who doesn't? Stop judging and start helping. I am really glad that none of you have problems and can quickly pass judgement on others based on little to no information. And Pavel, it was a sad passing. It still is. These comments made me even sadder.
Aaron Smoke was not a homeless person. He was a 13 year old boy who died from exposure. He was found in a snowbank, not properly dressed for the cold. There was to have been an autopsy and investigation. Does anyone know the outcome of this?
Judy Geraghty, although not homeless, froze to death in December outside the home of a friend.
Suzy Rose was actually Susie Rosie Simmonds, also known as Susie Rose Low.
Carline Peters, mentioned in the article, was actually Carleen Mae Peter.
Dorcas Okpik-Sphung died last fall of accidental drowning.
Yes alaskaflower
and Cheryl Folger was intoxicated waiting for a friend to show up when she fell asleep due to the alcohol in her system and froze to death.
Does it make a hill of beans what their REAL names were?
Accidental drowning,underdressed, alcohol,.The point is --- THEY, not you not me, not some schmuck who shall remain nameless, THEY felt homeless.
To all of you who are as mad at the world as they are,take your high horse and put him back in the stable, turn on Star Trek and let the rest of us mourn for those we lost!!
The neatest thing about America (love it or not) is that no one HAS to see, read, hear, or feel anything they don't truly want to.
Live in your pretend world where you have all the answers and can pass judgements till Kingdom come.
But let us mourn in peace.
Peace
Mr. Green’s an idiot. There is a big difference between an alcoholic and a hard or problem drinker. I’m an alcoholic and for the last 6yrs of my drinking I didn’t like drinking, being drunk, or detoxing. And I was dieing and homeless. And it is by the grace of God…not a “decision’’ I made that I’m sober today and for many years now. Today I make a decision not to drink, but at the time I had no choice.
How ever I do agree that the “damp shelter” is a bad idea. I believe that the funds used for this would be better used to help the homeless pay for a “dry” stay at the Mission. The only time I tried (and I tried a lot) to quit was the desire to stay alive. I had a sponsor that told me that if you can’t help them up help them down. It’s sad that many of us have to die…but we will die. But by creating a damp shelter you would be enabling them, thus depriving them of an opportunity to get real help. And in the end killing more of us. It’s not just the cold. I know… I’ve seen it in the paper…died of natural causes, struck by a truck, drowned, suicide. All a result of alcholism. The problem is the lack of understanding of the illness by the people that think they are helping.
To their families and friends, yes, it probably does make a difference that their names be stated correctly, as evidenced already by several postings from family members. Most of these people did not even have an obituary to mark their passing, and so I mention their correct names.
I am not passing judgment on them. I am trying to recognize them as valuable human beings, loved by family and friends, but victims of adictions that cost them their lives.
Not all of those mentioned were homeless. But they all died away from their homes and alone.
I mourned for each of them when I read or heard of their passing. Each one was a senseless loss. One, in particular, was a dear friend.
It is never wrong to honor a loved one that has passed. I have volunteered at a couple soup kitchens, and gone too mass at the church in the article. The only problem I ever had with soup kitchens, is there have been a couple times, where it didnt look like some of them needed a meal, I mean, some were wearing three hundred dollar jackets (you dont find those at the transfer site) And smoking, seen the price of cigarettes lately? If you can afford those you can afford a loaf a bread and some lunch meat, save the food for the people who need it. Condolences to the families of the deceased.
Julie Tritt's and Carleen Mae Peter's names have been corrected in the story.
I think people can "honor" pretty much anyone they want, especially if it is a loved one. Semantics, schmenantics.
hairbrain.....your comments are disgusting and repulsive!
How do you know that the individuals honored "accomplished nothing" in their lives?! You don't have a clue! You do not know how long it has been since each of these persons descended into despair. You have no idea of any of the good things a person might have done....for their family or for their community. Just because a person is an alcoholic, or a drug user, or whatever their current problems are does not mean that person has always been that way!
Honor is a perfectly appropriate term, hairbrain. It is used around the world and, unlike most folks in the U.S., is a widespread term. A good example is Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), celebrated in Mexico and by Mexican Americans. Yes, they are HONORING their dead.....ALL of their dead, and I for one admire them for doing so! So unlike most Americans who bury their dead and rarely, if ever, visit the grave sites. In Athabaskan villages throughout interior Alaska, the community turns out in force on Memorial Day to honor no only their deceased veterans, but all those interred, and to spruce up the cemetery. Visit any cemetery in a town or city in the rest of the U.S. and you will most likely see very few folks paying their respects.
You are a vulgar person, hairbrain, devoid of human decency, it appears. Sounds like you will die a very lonely person.
A lot of them come from here in the interior, believe it or not, some of them, are property owners. God only knows why they chose to live their lives they way they did, like people straight out of a Jack Kerouac novel, it certainly doesnt appeal to me....
hairbrain - There is a very fine line between enabling a alcoholic and supporting them. It's hard for families to walk that line, especially if they've never dealt with a family member struggling with addiction before.
I wonder how many of the homeless have family that don't know where they are? Or have no family left? Or lost touch with their families long before they ended up where they are now?
I do have to say this to you hairbrain, at least your spelling has improved from your earlier posts. Makes it much easier to pretend to take you seriously.
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Pavel, have you bothered to read any of the comments?
Posted by alaskaflower at 1654
"Aaron Smoke was not a homeless person. He was a 13 year old boy who died from exposure. He was found in a snowbank, not properly dressed for the cold. There was to have been an autopsy and investigation. Does anyone know the outcome of this?
Judy Geraghty, although not homeless, froze to death in December outside the home of a friend."
More than one person honored at the vigil was not homeless.
Also, just because something is natural selection, doesn't mean it isn't sad for someone. If you're not going to respect the dead, at least show some respect for their families and friends who are still alive.
I'm dismayed by some of the responses to this article. So many people posting with sactimonious and self-righteous judgment against people suffering from alcoholism or other addictions display a lack of empathy and compassion. People without empathy, compassion and conscience are, by definition, sociopathic. Sociopaths are often referred to as "damaged or empty souls"; incapable of love, guilt, or remorse.
Medical research has made significant progress in determining the biological causes of addiction. Medical research has made much less progress in determining the cause of sociopathy. People with both afflictions deserve compassion.
None of us are qualified to judge the worth of a life and every human being deserves to be honored for what they were able to contribute in their lifetime. And make no mistake, even the most chronic "2-street drunk" has something positive to contribute if anyone takes the time to listen and learn.
Has anyone considered the fact that the native corporations have elected not to get involved in this issue? I do not want to make this a race issue however if you refer back to the article the majority of these people are of native heritage. They did not help out when the CSP van was in need, they built a multi million dollar cultural center.
Well my suggestion is if the cultural center is not open for 24 hours a day, it could be the so called damp shelter at night.
Come on ask your own people for help!
I read this article with interest and admiration for the people who staged this vigil to call attention to a serious problem. I then made the mistake of reading on and seeing the angry and hurtful comments posted by some very mean-spirited readers. There is a huge difference between enabling an addiction and offering a warm blanket on a cold night. The lack of shelter and warmth will not put an end to addiction unless it puts and end to the addict. But offering shelter and warmth gives someone suffering from addiction the knowledge that people still care. It also gives them the opportunity to actually wake up in the morning. "Where there is life, there is hope."
I knew Cheryl Folger for most of her life. She was a bright and funny little girl with energy and a contagious laugh. She grew up to be an intelligent and quirky adult. She experienced huge loss, pain, and grief in her life and alcohol added to that. But she never gave up; she continued to fight...and sometimes she came close to winning. We will never know if she would have eventually prevailed because she died one night out in the cold. She had children, family, and friends who all loved her. Her death was a tragedy and a vigil to honor her memory may prevent other such tragedies.
A warm meal and a warm place to sleep are not luxuries unless you have neither. "A society is judged by how it treats its weakest members"
Thank you for noting that I will not make this a race issue, however that facts are there for anyone that will open there eye's and look at the statistics.
Ask FMH, ask FPD, ask the people on the streets they will tell you that they are native, Why won't the big native corps. help???? Could we not make one of the run down abandon buildings here in town a shelter funded partly by a native corp? I said partly at least help out some.
For those of you who missed at least part of the point, the passing of ANYONE, intoxicated or not, on some levels is not so bad for the departed. After all, as some believe, they have gone on to their "reward" (a concept I frankly find wanting). This is not to minimize their deaths, and certainly not the manner of the death. But their suffering is over.
But, as important to us left behind, their passing leaves families and friends with unfinished business, a sense of guilt (though for the most part there is nothing they have done) and a need for closure.
It has been said that memorial services are for the living. I am appalled at the insensitivity of some of these posters.
It is not the responsibility of Native corporations to support social issues. Health and social service issues are handled by Tanana Chiefs and Fairbanks Native Association. Both of these agencies contribute money and services to the issue, including offering treatment facilities for both teens and adults.
And, dawg, you might want to check your facts regarding the community service patrol van.
WOW! Some of the posters on this board are perfectly insensitive! It is ALWAYS a sad day for someone when an individual passes, no matter how they passed. We were all born, and all that are born will pass. The people that die are not who we hold funerals, memorials and vigils for. It is the people that are living- and many of you have been truly insensitive to those people.
I would very much like to do something about the “inebriate problem” in our city. The “inebriate problem” is not that impersonal though- it is a problem that people are facing- not just an inconvenience that the city faces. Nice of the News Miner to post this article, wonder what the secondary motives were…
Sending prayers up on smoke for those who have lost family and friends to this horrid monster of a disease called addiction. And to those of you, who know people who are addicted…continue to be there, continue to pray, and do your best not enable your loved ones to continue living in a destructive manner. You have the support of many in this community- I do not believe this posting board is a very good representation of the community, or the support that exists here.
AlaskaPhil, you must have wrote yours while I was composing mine- I think you are correct (obviously).
Let's act like humans for a while in here, and not rabid animals....
The weather is turning colder and this kind of problem is going to happen again. Talking about it here isn't going to solve anything. You want to fix the problem? pick up a "homeless person" and take them to your house. Spend the next 12-24 hours with them as they vommit, urinate and deficate themselves. And when you don't give them what they want, (ciggs, booze, food) endure their foul mouths as they spew profanities at you. Go through all that and get them sober so they can enter the rescue mission, detox or some other treatment program and see what you do when you see them 3-4 hours later drunker than the first time. That is the ugly reality.
The larger reality is 99% of posters on here will NEVER actually deal with a "CI". You want to continue talking and not do anything fine. At least get out and VOTE! Elections are comning and there are many issues of great importance. Ther are also many choices in candidates. Choose wisley.
Lets look at it from a different view do these people want help,my mother used to manage a building down town and she would converse with alot of homeless that came through her building,quite a few were happy with there life living off the grid for one reason or another.I see alot on here where people are saying there is no compassion,as it was said earlier the families should be the first to help out and if a person refuses there help it shows there not really looking for any.
I have checked mine, if you have some to add please do. I understand that this is a health and social service issue; however we as tax payers are funding the majority of the so called treatment facilities.
Most are unable to be admitted to the detox center due to being trespassed, they in turn end up at FCC what kind of treatment do you think they receive at jail???
They need to be left alone, but with a safe shelter to stay during the harsh weather.
Again give the Native people back their lands that you took without the right price. Think before you speak.
Mrs. Julie Tritt was my adopted brothers mother. I was the one that had to pass on the information that she had passed. My mother had to tell her little boy that his birth mother died cold and alone and comfort him as he cried. This was a very nice woman who had children,a family, and friends.Yes, she also had an alcohol problem but this doesnt take away from the fact that she was a person who was loved and loved. How dare you all be so cruel as to get on here to criticize and dehumanize these people and take away from the beauty of a memorial service that was intended to give healing to the the people that loved them. Would any of you want to tell my sweet,sensitive, and loving 11 year old brother that his mother deserved this? I just thank God that he's surrounded by people who have more compassion then any of you. I HONOR Julie for loving this little baby enough to allow my family to raise him because she knew that we loved him and would provide a good, loving, stable home for him. Something she knew she could not.Alcohol problem or not, this was a difficult, heart wrenching decision for her and she will always be honored by us. May Julie, and the others who were lost, rest peacefully in Gods loving hands.May their family members find healing.
Mrs. Kari Joseph and the Schulz family.
You think it might help your 11 year old brother refrain from alcohol if he was told the truth about his mother instead of having it sugar coated?
I am a cynical person by nature. You see a woman who loved that baby enough to give it up. I see a woman who didn't care enough to stop drinking.
I would tell your "sweet,sensitive, and loving 11 year old brother that his mother deserved this?"
It would hurt, but hopefully it would prevent him from drinking or trying drugs. And to me, that would be worth it. His mother wouldn't have died in vain if her life gave her son strength to stay clean and sober.
Yes wisecheif think before you speak,what does one have to do with the other?
fairbanksbornandraised : Your 100 % Right On the Spot !
My comment: Will All the Crying and “Feel So Bad people that are posting on here, Please Post YOUR Home Address, so the Van can bring the Bums (I mean Homeless) to YOUR Homes for the night.
I just know we are going to be Flooded with Address now!
As for the ones that ended up dead, can someone please tell me their Blood Alcohol content?
Pavel, not that your opinion matters, but my brother has been taught, from the time he was old enough to understand, the dangers of alcohol and drugs. He is very aware of his birth mothers disease and of the nature of her death. His family, both biological and adopted, have no intention of allowing him to follow this path. One of the main reasons his mother gave him up and gave him to us.From you statement that you would tell a young child that his parent "deserved" this death, only goes to show what a terrible parent you yourself would make. Before judging others, I'd recommend taking a long, hard look at yourself. I only pray that if you do have children, they grow to be much more compassionate, caring, and educated then you seem to be. With a parent as intolerant and unfeeling as you, I can only hope they don't turn to alcohol or drugs themselves. Good luck with that.
Once again, hairbrain, you are a shallow person devoid of any compassion and empathy. Sounds like you've had a rough life. Sad.
Glockmod23.....your comments are disgusting. I'll bet you feel quite smug and satisfied with yourself, eh?
fairbanksbornandraised.......I've spent time with CI's.....have you? I doubt it. And, more importantly, what have YOU done for your community? Ever volunteered at anything? Again....doubtful.
Pavel.....from your post above and reading your drivels from other threads, it is apparent that you too are a shell of a human being with not an ounce of compassion in your bones.
I would propose that the lot of you negative posters contribute virtually NOTHING to society but are just along for the ride and living life for no one but yourselves. In other words, you are a drain.
Honor- High respect,as for a special merit;esteem.
Glory or recognition;distinction. A title conferred for achievement.
American heritage college dictionary
Patrick just because people post there views negative or not i wouldn't say they are not contributing to society or are a drain considering they must have a job to afford the computor and internet to be posting were as the inebiates are doing nothing but causing families greif because of there decesion in life.
maxwell.....people can have a job and still be a drain on society. I know many folks in Fairbanks who fall into that category. And just because they are posting on the internet does not mean they have a computer. Ever been to the library?
Your posts say it all, maxwell....such as your crass and callous post following the article in today's (Sunday) News-Miner titled "Fairbanks group sets foundations for new homeless shelter". In your post, you said "And maybe later you can help pay some of my bills and housing after i have a couple of beers."
That post is uncalled for. Do you have nothing better to do, maxwell? I'll assume you are an adult and, if so, I suggest you get started on your GED.
Thank you, Kerber. I do believe you have pegged all these "fine examples of Fairbanks society" for exactly what they are.
Well kerber it's nice to see you can't handle comments witout taking jabs at people,nope haven't been to the library but i do pay for it with my taxes.
My comments may have been crass and callous but when i see articals like this were people are looking for donations to help people who aren't even trying to help themselves why should i show any simpathy,it's bad enough i have to take drug tests to work but people on welfare don't.
And thank you, kari, for opening up a bit of your private family matters. You have made your point with eloquelce and it is deeply appreciated.
maxwell.....when your behavior is rude and unacceptable, such as you have exhibited in several of your posts, you can expect someone to throw it right back in your face. Common decency is the issue here, maxwell, and you are thusfar lacking in that quality. Think before you act!
By the way, maxwell.....you take drug tests, as many folks in Fairbanks and around the nation do because drug abuse is rampant! I have no idea what you do for a living, although I'd guess you work in the service industry, but do you really want to work alongside druggies? They are a financial drain on businesses and cause on-the-job accidents, of which you could someday be a victim. In my opinion, drug testing should be REQUIRED by all employers and I, for one, refuse to do business with establishments who do not test their employees.
And just which of your taxes pays for the library, maxwell?
maxwell- if you don't like paying taxes in your community the solution is easy, move.
You guys bashing homeless people have probably done it before and not just on the worldwide web, that kind of stuff happens all the time too by cowardly rednecks who can't pick on a sober person because they're SCARED to fight someone who can fight back.
I will be donating money for this cause as I hate the thought of a human being left to slowly freeze to death because they're drunk, big deal, I read about people who aren't homeless getting DUI's almost everyday and the only difference between the two is that people with a home pass out on a bed, or floor.
A "CI" is a "CI", doesn't matter if you have a place to live or not there are probably more drunks with homes than without in this town, so I don't know why some of you are complaining so much.
I believe they should increase the taxes on alcohol to a point where it wouldn't be so cheap to get yourself drunk enough to get in trouble, hence the reason why alcohol is the most dangerous drug in the country- it's cheap.
Legalize marijuana and make alcohol too expensive for homeless people with no income to just casually buy a bottle with pocket change and you will see the drunks in public disappear in no time, you don't want to pay taxes on a shelter? pay them for booze then.
$100.00 for a fifth of CHEAP vodka, $10 for one bottle of beer- you will see people savoring instead of chugging and the alcohol related crimes will dwindle away because people will be too stoned to do anything but raid the fridge.
This is not the 50's people, Anslinger is dead and there are no longer any illusions- marijuana is not a "dangerous" drug, people will grow rather than buy (no drug money) and allot more people use it than is known about anyway.
It's time to REALIZE and then LEGALIZE!
Everyone has an opinion and just because they voice it doesen't mean they should be attacked by someone that doesen't agree with there views as you have done(pretty childish on your part),i'm actually being pretty civil at this point.
I have no problem with drug tests in the work place,my point is if i have to do it i beleive people who are asking for a handout should.
My propety taxes pay for the library as well as the schools,if you had propety you would know this.
maxwell- you're probably not happy with the amount of taxes on your property, as I am, this is another way an increased alcohol tax could help EVERYBODY.
Tax our "privilege" to drink alcohol, not our RIGHT to own property.
Lost once again your name says it all,i have no problem paying propety taxes for the services i receive and thats probably why i am were i am.A CI is a CI,yes but one with a house doesen't need to be taken care of like the one's living on the streets.Marijuna not a dangerous drug,come on would you want to to be around someone while there high and operating any type of equipment.
I am sorry for all the families that have lost loved ones due to alochol/drug related choices. But, have a different concern. We all know that violent crime (rapes and assaults) in our state is more often than not related to drug and alcohol use. So, who is going to be responsible for the crime that will undoubtedly occur when you allow drunk and high individuals in the "damp" shelter together? Will there be security guards? night monitors? people physically able to intervene? I know that details haven't been worked out and things are in the planning stage. But, these are real issues that will have to be addressed. Not to mention liability... who will be paying for the civil suits that could arise for those who are victimized by others in the shelter? And finally what does damp mean? What is too drunk or high to be admitted?
akdawg - Alaka Native corporations do contribute monetarily for solutions. Check your facts!
The news-miner is hateful and hurtful. They want to cause this kind of division by using a headline with honor instead of remember.
Chronic alchoholism is a huge problem in Fairbanks. My husband is in public service and he knows most of the homeless by name. He is white but he has a great love for the native peoples of Alaska. He treats them with love and compassion. His best friend is Athabaskan. We have a problem in Fairbanks and causing discord is not going to solve it. There is no need for nasty, hurtful comments.
Kerber : Now that you Pulled my Chain, by being the the “Court judge” over the other people and myself, for our believes and options on the Bums (I mean the Homeless), and you forward the Idea that you have, or may have done So much for “society” Please do list your Address for the Van, so the driver will know “Where to bring the Bums (I mean the Homeless) for the night. By listing YOUR Address & Name, Everyone on here will know that “YOU” really would do something usefully for “Society”. In my experience Most of the people that Yells about how much they do for “Society”; when they are tracked down, they turn-out to be a Society-Leeches.
I.e. Example, living at home at age 25, been in college for years and years and never had a “part time job” to help pay for there own Ed.
And Or, collecting Welfare.
Have a Good Day !
maxwell.....yes, everyone has opinions, but when one expresses them in hurtful ways, such as your snide comment about "pay my bills and housing after I have a couple of beers" is just plain rude and disrespectful. You were the first poster on today's article and you blew it. Even if you disagreed with the article you could have expressed yourself maturely instead of resorting to such as childish rant. You, sir, owe an apology to all of the family, friends and concerned community members who all came together to try and find solutions to the inebriate problem. Shame on you!
I know very well that property taxes pay the bulk of the library's budget. I have to admit that I tried to bait you as it appears from your posts that you could not possibly be a homeowner. My apologies if you do, indeed, own a home within the borough. By the way, I owned homes during the entire 18 years I lived in Fairbanks, so you missed the mark on that one.
Glockmod23....your rant does not deserves a response, but I'm going to waste some of my precious free time on you anyway.
You, like maxwell and a few others who make fun of a serious matter, need to grow up. I don't have any idea of your age, although I'd guess you are very young and have not experienced much of the real world.
Let me ask you this.....what have you done for Fairbanks besides go to or from school or work? Ever volunteered at anything? Literacy Council? Tutoring in the schools? Food bank? Anything?? If not....why not? And please don't come up with excuses like "I don't have the time" because that and almost all other excuses are lame!
Your insult that volunteers turn out to be the leeches of society is a slap in the face of the many hundreds of folks in Fairbanks who not only volunteer their time, sometimes hundreds of hours per year, but also hold down full time jobs and/or are raising families. Shame on you!
So, if I read some of these posts correctly, those who are concerned should welcome sick people into their homes? Really!?
With that notion one is arguing I should take personal responsibility for a myriad of problems which are best addressed by groups -- agencies, institutions, volunteers, whatever. Note: One can care about people with problems and not welcome them in their home. I happily pay my taxes, volunteer, and support social services from law enforcement, to rehabilitation, to basic shelter.
It begs the issue of CARING to suppose that concerned citizens should personally house ANYONE they do not know. As a practical matter that is irresponsible and just plain stupid.
The issue is not just about basic safety for these folks, but about what the community thinks of itself. Clearly some in the community see themselves as sole occupants of some kind of ideal universe -- if only everyone could be perfect (and judgmental, and bordering on heartless) like them.
No, the issue here has become clear, some people prefer to see others as disposable while they themselves avoid the issue at hand. I can see the obstructionist nay-sayers now, whipping a horse called Holier than Thou into a lather in an effort to outrun an obvious social issue.
Some folks, when they know a problem is beyond their means to solve it, help where they can; and get the heck out of the way so that others might do what they cannot. Of course this requires that one recognize and acknowledge a problem in the first place
"Pavel.....from your post above and reading your drivels from other threads, it is apparent that you too are a shell of a human being with not an ounce of compassion in your bones."
I have all the sympathy and compassion in the world for people trying to help themselves and the families involved in the long, painful process that it can become.
To call me a shell of a human being because I don't care that some drunk died in a snowbank, well, that just doesn't mean anything. Feel free to keep stroking your own ego though. Keep pretending you are the only person on the planet for which altruism exists.
This is NOT an discussion about religion, although faith-based social services may come into play. At least THEY are trying to accomplish something. Fact is, this is about people who are concerned about a specific social issue in our community. This is not an activity exclusive to Christianity. This is about sympathy for those, living or dead, hurt by the frailty of the human condition, and an effort to do something about it.
Jean-Paul Sartre said "Hell is other people." So is whatever we think of as "heaven". In this case the words "heaven" or "hell" are universal metaphors for what is good or bad, not right-wing Christian terms.
For some folks this topic is not their particular windmill. Fine. But to condemn the efforts of people who want to help the homeless/inebriates/whatever-we-call-them, reveals a poverty of human character which damages the entire community.
correction: "This is not a discussion about religion, etc..."
Fixing "... an discussion ..."
because some of the posters, to be credible, desperately need a spell checker, lessons in basic grammar, and rudimentary knowledge of usage. For instance, their and there, then and than, your and you're are DIFFERENT!
I don't condemn anyone trying to help, faith based or not. We need more of it. Can we get the DNM to highlight the people who are trying to recover? The people who have recovered?
Patrick Kerber-
"fairbanksbornandraised.......I've spent time with CI's.....have you? I doubt it. And, more importantly, what have YOU done for your community? Ever volunteered at anything? Again....doubtful."
I have spent more time with them than most and will continue to do it. I know most of them by name.
As for my comunity involvement,You don't want to compare resumes' I have been a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT, Coached Special Olympics, Been a Bourough Road Comissioner and more. I volunteer at pre-schools and Elementary schools on a regular basis. I also do a job that many would never consider in a million years and I do it without complaint.
You sir would not walk in my shoes. You couldn't handle it.
Pavel, there ARE people who have recovered. I know scores of them. Yes, it would be great to read their stories. But, having been put down and rejected for most of their lives, they are not likely to feel comfortable with telling their stories in a public venue.
But there truly are some beautiful stories.
fairbanksbornandraised.......I was wrong about second guessing you and I apologize. Your tone of "voice" in your post, however, was somewhat snide and callous and it appeared you were just another one of the hateful posters that are so prevalent on this site. Like you, I was a volunteer firefighter/EMT II, in a village, for several years and answered the call of duty many, many times. I also volunteered as a tutor at elementary schools in Fairbanks as well as many years with the Literacy Council. Spent several years with the Volunteers In Policing during which time I had hundreds of contacts with inebriates in downtown Fairbanks. I also knew most of them by name. Spent many years with the Civil Air Patrol, both in aerospace education with cadets and flying as a search pilot on dozens of missions. In addition, I've spent hundreds of hours with environmental groups, including trips to Juneau and Washington D.C. to fight for protection for the Tongass National Forest and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (we've kept the refuge off-limits, thank you very much!). My job resume, while not relevant to this discussion of volunteerism, is extensive. Twenty five years with the federal government (retired), twenty years in the military (4 years active duty U.S. Navy and 16 years with the Alaska Air National Guard, including 10 years flying), 13 years as a flight instructor/air taxi pilot/corporate pilot (7 full-time and 6 part-time) and five years running a bed and breakfast in Fairbanks. At 59 I am still going strong, working for a major defense contractor on the west coast and currently devoting my free time to caring for my parents and volunteering at a local Obama campaign office to help ensure we end the nightmare called Bush Administration!
Sir or Madam, I cannot say I can or would walk in your shoes as you have not said what you do that is so horrendous, but I can safely say I have done my fair share of helping out others in need and will continue to do so.
Have a good day.
Ah, Bush can't go another term anyway Mr. Kerber unless the laws changed.. So his administration is pretty much gone early next year...
Maxwell- I have been around people high operating equipment more times than I can/care to count, they were just fine.
Have you ever heard of someone getting into an accident because they were stoned? now, how many Alcohol related deaths (not including injuries) are there EVERY DAY?
Really? a drunk "CI" with a house doesn't need to be taken care of?
So when they're swerving all over the road and endangering every innocent driver and pedestrian to get back to their house thats ok?
Actually I think the Police take care of them, we read about that in the paper all the time, or does that fact that someone owns a house excuse them from being drunk somehow? you can only drink if you have a house or something?
A drunk is a drunk, drunks are dangerous and I am more worried about the drunk DRIVERS in this town wayyyy more than any drunk walking down the road, some people think they have some kind of god given right to drink and drive, then they cry like little girls when they get caught or cry like little girls when they kill somebody.
Anybody that downplays the effects alcohol has while trying to hype marijuana as "dangerous" very much need an education because it makes you look pretty stupid, or you're a "CI" yourself and would flip out if anybody took your booze away.
There are over 40,000 people that die EVERY YEAR as a DIRECT result of driving under the influence of ALCOHOL in the U.S.
There are 0(zero) people that die every year a a direct result of driving under the influence of MARIJUANA in the U.S.
Make liquor $100.00 a bottle and beer $10.00 a bottle and you will see ALLOT of problems in this town disappear.
Those whom this article was written about would probably not have been able to afford to get as drunk as they did and they would have had the presence of mind to help themselves get out of the cold and would have been allowed in a shelter, if they were only stoned they probably would not have been outside in the first place.
Crucible......of course I was using the "Bush Administration" term in the literal sense. McCain is tied at the hip with Bush, whether he or anyone else acknowledges it or not. For the man to vote with Bush 91% of the time and turn around and say he is a maverick is utter nonsense! There is little doubt in anyone's mind by now that Baby Bush will go down in history as the worst president ever and that he will leave office disgraced. McCain would absolutely be four more years and I and many others think our nation has reached the breaking point and could not and would not survive.
Considerable research suggests there is a DNA basis for several addictions.
The assertion: actual alcoholics can control their behavior is false. This is why rehab/detox, etc are for the MOST part failures because none of them alter the person's DNA.
It is my judgment (based on direct observations), self control is beyond their ability.
Guardianship shutting off the their money to buy alcohol is the only effective program I have seen that has any realistic chance of success.
Liquor sellers exploit the alcoholics for their money and the government exploits them to expand gov spending, programs and to raise taxes.
Only in death do they end.
As they say, "follow the money-trail."
"It is my judgment (based on direct observations), self control is beyond their ability."
Whom is "their" in your statement?, the homeless drunks downtown or the drunks that drive every day under the influence of alcohol and don't get caught?, the only distinction between the two is that one just happens to have a place to sleep, a drunk is a drunk.
Hey sniffles - almost all homeless shelters are church-based. You must really be an ignoramus.
"“The most opportune time for someone needy is from 9 to 11 a.m. on Sunday,” he said. “They know they can guilt congregation members into giving them what they need right on the spot.”
- from here -
http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008...
""We've kind of institutionalized an enabling environment downtown for this transient population to grow unchecked," Balles said. "They are downtown preying largely off of that student population and really preying off a lot of our good compassion as Madisonians. In a way, they are taking advantage of us."
- from here -
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008...
Fact is, sniffles, the country is full of churches pandering to people who don't want to work for a living. Just look around online and you will find plenty of churches with homeless shelters and programs. I know a few people really DO need the help, but reality has proven to me, that most don't. It's sad that religious types are the most gullible people in the world, and homeless con artists know this.
They figure if someone believes in God they must be an easy target, imagine that.
And alaskaflower - 7 people die from exposure in FBX and it's estimated we have 3500 homeless in the whole state. How is that a VERY SERIOUS problem exactly? Alaska, in fact, has many programs for people with actual problems to get help. You need to wake up and realize that drug/alcohol addiction and rape ARE NOT the LEADING CAUSES of homelessness, laziness is.
Here is a list of other factors -
http://www.homelessresourcenetwork.org/c...
MANY other reasons leave people without a home, rape is not the leading cause, so quit bringing it up in this context. Also, you'll notice that it states that drug and alcohol addiction is disproportionately high among the homeless. Doesn't say it's the cause.
It actually looks like economic problems are high on the list for causes, maybe if we didn't have such bone-headed leaders throwing money at the mideast and sending JOBS overseas. NO jobs = more homelessness.
alaskaflower - please get a clue.
"Most drug and alcohol addicts never become homeless. However, people who are poor and addicted are clearly at increased risk."
- from this article
http://www.echeat.com/essay.php?t=30617
In this article it states that only 7% of homeless folks report sexual abuse as a child as a factor. And in most of those cases it is the parents doing it.
Some facts alaskaflower, facts.
Improve the economy and improve the homeless problem. Keep pampering them in church-based shelters and the problem will never go away.
Oh, and sniffles, did you even read the article? it says - "Members of the Ecumenical Faith-Based Mission for the Homeless of Fairbanks will meet today from 1-4 p.m. at the Chena River Convention Center to discuss a damp shelter during winter months."
And I found this quote - "The federal government funds homeless shelters through both the MacKinney fund and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Act.) State, county and city governments also fund homeless services."
- From this article -
http://anitraweb.org/homelessness/faqs/h...
No federal handouts, eh? I believe churches also get tax breaks by helping the homeless. Seems to me, churches just want to save more money.
So come up with an idea to help instead of whining about it or flaming those who feel it is a good idea come up with a plan of action and try to do something about it.
Your not doing anyone any good by saying it's not your job.I'm sad that the familys are not geting involved to help loved ones.I know that it can be a hard thing to beat.having one family memeber who is recovering and another who will not stop and refuses to see the light.
We do what we can.
I'd just like to point out, once again, that this was a way for the people who lost their loved ones to heal and say goodbye. Would you all please stop arguing points that really mean NOTHING to these people who are grieving,act like adults, and allow these people to heal? Ridiculous...
Reviewing the comments.
I can't see any effective solution, aside from placing them under guardianship.
More "caring", more government programs, more, more of the same perpetuates their economic exploitation by those sell alcohol, those who get grants running them through revolving door "treatment" programs funded by forced charity taxation.
The problem therefore is not solvable. All current programs will continue to have a substantial failure rate. While providing nearly useless make work jobs punching holes in water.
Vigils, news paper stories, repeated family intervention, talk, counseling, flop houses, detox, hospitalization, do not alter a person's DNA relating to addiction.
Years ago, schizophrenia was treated by "talk", and beatings. Then came along some effective psycho active drugs that often successfully alter brain chemistry enough to allow many to live a more or less productive normal life.
Maybe, in the near future, someone will come up with a way to successfully alter a person's addiction related brain chemistry.
Until then let's stop the exploitation and spend our time and money finding guardians.
"I can't see any effective solution, aside from placing them under guardianship."
How are you going to place an alcoholic who owns a house, has a job and drives drunk everyday, under the care of a "guardian"?
There are probably more chronic inebriates who are NOT homeless than are, so what's THEIR excuse?
Prove the person needs guardianship.
If you know some is driving drunk, it is your responsibility to notify the cops.
The life you save may be your own, your neighbors,
your kid's.
Failure to report shows you approve of drunk driving.
this not my problem why not all homeless go to OUT OF STATE where warm all year... this alaska cant offer homeless to have under roof because they are going get a shower every day because someone told when he sleep in all people sleeping in one room they are smell badly he cant stand it
8 DUI's in the paper this morning and one minor in possession of alcohol, now if liquor was $100.00 and beer $10.00 a bottle I'll bet those people would not have been able to afford to get that drunk.
If people really NEED to drink then they will pay the mega-tax on alcohol and learn to drink in MODERATION.
Legalize Marijuana federally and allow people to grow it then you will see many drug money and alcohol related crimes dwindle away, but that'll probably never happen because people like John P. Walters would lose allot of salary money if his office was not needed any longer.
There are some interesting points made in this discussion. I, too, have read research indicating a genetic predisposition to alcohol addiction, and research that has shown a familial link to addiction. We know that some of us are more prone to addiction because of environmental factors as well. Alcohol has contributed to the death of a few of my aunts & uncles, and to one cousin. I stay away from the stuff except for the occasional beer during football season; I've seen what it's done to my family, I've recognized my own risk, and it's not worth playing with fire!
Those who will not lift a finger to help a "drunk" are blessed that they do not struggle with this disease, and I truly hope you never struggle with alcoholism. I do hope that you have other outlets for compassion.
Sometimes people get "burned" and their hearts turn cold because they have been hurt by an addict. I'm sorry if this has happened to you.
Then there are others who, like me, say "There has to be some hope, somewhere." Sometimes it's hope that carries us through the darkest times. It's the kindness of compassionate, caring people that offer that hope. Maybe not a cure; maybe not a solution to all of life's problems (which may lead a person to drink), but simple human caring...That's the beginning.
To those who have spoken up on this forum and who have championed those who are suffering, my sincere thank you! To those who have attended all of the homeless coalition meetings (which are still ongoing), thank you. And to those who are seeking to create a safe place to stay for those who are addicted and homeless, thank you! You are heroes in my book.
In a strange way, I kind of agree with Pavel. These people did make a series of choices that led them to their respective fates. If they had made one or two different decisions, it might have broken the chain of events that lead to their deaths.
Here's a crazy thought, Pavel. Maybe by acknowledging them as people, that they had names and loved ones and families, somebody who is on that road to tragedy will realize that they have a family and a future and maybe that person will make a decision that will take them off of the path that leads to them being the subject of a memorial service. Just a thought.
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