What is the story with all the junkies in Cork City

Infernal Racket

This is my 3rd day in Cork City on a family break and there are junkies everywhere. We're staying in a hotel close to the bus eireann terminal and they are literally everywhere and I'm not exaggerating. They are lying on the street in the middle of the day off their faces. Oliver Plunkett St, Patrick St, more or less the whole city centre they are everywhere begging, hassling tourists for money and urinating in broad daylight. I haven't been to Cork City in nearly 20 years and can't believe what I'm seeing.

id hate for you to see Dublin

Andrew00

Yeah it's shocking in Cork

Infernal Racket

Rose Sticky Marmoset wrote: »

id hate for you to see Dublin

I see Dublin all the time and it's bad I'll agree but Jesus they're very visible in Cork. I lived here for a few months back in the late 90s and never seen anything like this. It's truly awful

Infernal Racket

They're walking around in gangs. In Dublin they'll mostly be on their own or maybe in twos or threes but these ones are in large groups of 5 to 10 or more.

corkgsxr

There about alright. Around bus station probably worst spot tho.

They never bother anyone tho

normanbond

The local politicians and Garda management have allowed Cork city to deteriorate. It’s a real mess!
Winos can drink openly in city centre streets, they can shout and roar as much as they want.
There is open drug dealing and use,
No one is tackling the problem and it’s clearly getting worse ....
Politicians and Garda managers need to wake up!!

fuerte1976

I lived in Cork for almost 10 years from the mid 90s into 2000's.
Loved it, it was home. Could walk most places without issue day or night.
Have craic with anyone you met on them travels day and night.

Was at the marquee last summer with the wife and stayed in town for 4 nights and got an awful land..
Corks changed so much - horrible to see..
And it was the addicts and their antics that was the first thing we commented on.

Infernal Racket

corkgsxr wrote: »

There about alright. Around bus station probably worst spot tho.

They never bother anyone tho

They're bothering plenty of people for "a euro for a bottle of water cos I'm parched from living on the streets" seems to be their preferred line. As I sit looking out the hotel window there are now 5 or 6 of them knocking lumps out of each other on a little boardwalk down by the water and the wind is how long around them..

Biker79

Covid has made them more visible - same in Dublin city centre.

But their numbers are also going up. Which is weird.

As one head of social services in Dublin recently said ....the better the quality of services, the greater the demand.

For some, being a junkie is simply a lifestyle choice. Like going to college or getting a trade.

TheBlackPill

It wasn't too long ago when it was harmless middle aged alcoholics hassling you in Cork. Said to see the Dublin style addict has become prevalent in Cork, but have seen em popping up all over. FFS even Tullamore has a half dozen highly visible ones

Infernal Racket

Biker79 wrote: »

Covid has made them more visible - same in Dublin city centre.

But their numbers are also going up. Which is weird.

As one head of social services in Dublin recently said ....the better the quality of services, the greater the demand.

For some, being a junkie is simply a lifestyle choice. Like going to college or getting a trade.

Covid can't be blamed for the visibility in Cork though because the city is very busy and still the junkies are sticking out a mile.

Biker79

Infernal Racket wrote: »

Covid can't be blamed for the visibility in Cork though because the city is very busy and still the junkies are sticking out a mile.

Tourism is down, shoppers are down, office workers are WFH. This exposes the cities underbelly.

Manach

Modern Ireland has not quite reached the implied latterday paradise with the older social strucutres passing away and nothing much has emerged to replace them. Cork has got much rougher over the years that pre-dates Covid.

Biker79

I agree. The situation was already deteriorating before covid. It simply exacerbated it.

Its not going to improve any time soon. People are just giving up and saying f**k it.

Dublin is on the same trajectory as LA and San Francisco city centres. Cork will be close behind Dublin.

fuerte1976

Biker79 wrote: »

I agree. The situation was already deteriorating before covid. It simply exacerbated it.

Its not going to improve any time soon. People are just giving up and saying f**k it.

Dublin is on the same trajectory as LA and San Francisco city centres. Cork will be close behind Dublin.

I really hope not.. Such a lovely city and people.

Seamai

Infernal Racket wrote: »

This is my 3rd day in Cork City on a family break and there are junkies everywhere. We're staying in a hotel close to the bus eireann terminal and they are literally everywhere and I'm not exaggerating. They are lying on the street in the middle of the day off their faces. Oliver Plunkett St, Patrick St, more or less the whole city centre they are everywhere begging, hassling tourists for money and urinating in broad daylight. I haven't been to Cork City in nearly 20 years and can't believe what I'm seeing.

You mentioned a boardwalk so I'm guessing your staying at the Clayton? There is a Simon hostel right behind the hotel which has always attracted a certain element in the area.
I've noticed in the last few years when I'm in the city centre particularly on a week day it's akin to being in a zombie film, last week I had one young one off her face asking me three times in the space of an hour for money for the bus to get home.
The city council.and the Gardaí would want to get their asses in gear.

Infernal Racket

Seamai wrote: »

You mentioned a boardwalk so I'm guessing your staying at the Clayton? There is a Simon hostel right behind the hotel which has always attracted a certain element in the area.
I've noticed in the last few years when I'm in the city centre particularly on a week day it's akin to being in a zombie film, last week I had one young one off her face asking me three time in the space of an hour for money for the bus to get home.
The city council.and the Gardaí would want to get their asses in gear.

Yep, it's the Clayton. Decent enough hotel but Christ once you go outside it's like the zombie apocalypse

TheChizler

Infernal Racket wrote: »

Yep, it's the Clayton. Decent enough hotel but Christ once you go outside it's like the zombie apocalypse

There's always a few winos around there, but junkies? Unless they mean the same thing these days

Biker79

fuerte1976 wrote: »

I really hope not.. Such a lovely city and people.

City council doesnt want to do anything. The ' services ' are improving all the time.

Have a listen to Joe Rogan speaking about LA, and its process of deterioration. It seems to me that Cork/Dublin are on the same path.

https://youtu.be/YJNFkwPQ_fU

mean gene

Cork City is full of junkies allright although I haven't seen them cause any hassle besides p1ssing all over the streets way more visible during this covid and their numbers have increased -up next will be the beggers from eastern Europe that fly in and put a blanket outside all the cash points think they are due around october

Yes op it's very bad around that area. Was always a few around, but over the past few weeks their numbers have exploded, with some much rougher / more intimidating looking heads around. The previous, mostly harmless older drinkers seem to actually have been hunted off by this new crowd and now tend to congregate down by the docks.

As to who they are and where they've come from, not entirely sure, but I'd say the large numbers on temporary release from Cork prison might have something to do with it. Also noticed a few of them have definite Dublin accents, maybe they've relocated as they feel the authorities in Cork are a softer touch.

In any case my wife and I are actively avoiding the city centre for the time being. Hopefully things will improve post covid, but if not I fear the city centre is doomed.

The usual heads will be along now to downplay things and tell us every city has these problems, it's always been like this, just covid makes it more visible etc etc.

No. The place has actually deteriorated massively over just a few weeks /months. Turning a blind eye to the problem won't make it go away. Not long I fear until we start getting the first reports of violent crimes being committed against passers by.

Hangdogroad

Infernal Racket wrote: »

I see Dublin all the time and it's bad I'll agree but Jesus they're very visible in Cork. I lived here for a few months back in the late 90s and never seen anything like this. It's truly awful

I've been living in the City since 96 and heroin was virtually unheard of here then. Plenty of winos but it's been creeping in steadily in the last ten or so years and it's gotten ridiculous now.

Hangdogroad

corkgsxr wrote: »

There about alright. Around bus station probably worst spot tho.

They never bother anyone tho

I've experienced and seen very aggressive begging from junkies In recent months. Passing a group on Oliver Plunket St one scumbag aimed a kick at me. Intervened on Sullivans Quay when a female junkie was harassing an elderly woman. This beaut told me to mind my own business and that I didn't know what I was messing with before disappearing.

Rose Sticky Marmoset

Rose Sticky Marmoset wrote: »

id hate for you to see Dublin

There was a time when this was true. However of late, the number, the aggressiveness, the large roaming gangs screaming their heads off at each other and just the sheer unrelenting pervasiveness of it in all parts of the city centre, including the main shopping areas, far surpasses anything I've seen in Dublin.

All this said as a Cork man who loves nothing more than taking the piss out of Dublin.

Reputable Rog

Infernal Racket wrote: »

They're bothering plenty of people for "a euro for a bottle of water cos I'm parched from living on the streets" seems to be their preferred line. As I sit looking out the hotel window there are now 5 or 6 of them knocking lumps out of each other on a little boardwalk down by the water and the wind is how long around them..

I don’t think quenching the thirst is their aim. Since Covid it’s got very bad, a woman was openly shooting up across the road from Anglesea Garda Station.
The recent retail closures haven’t helped as they’re congregating in the now vacant doorways.

unplayable

Deleted User wrote: »

Yes op it's very bad around that area. Was always a few around, but over the past few weeks their numbers have exploded, with some much rougher / more intimidating looking heads around. The previous, mostly harmless older drinkers seem to actually have been hunted off by this new crowd and now tend to congregate down by the docks.

As to who they are and where they've come from, not entirely sure, but I'd say the large numbers on temporary release from Cork prison might have something to do with it. Also noticed a few of them have definite Dublin accents, maybe they've relocated as they feel the authorities in Cork are a softer touch.

In any case my wife and I are actively avoiding the city centre for the time being. Hopefully things will improve post covid, but if not I fear the city centre is doomed.

The usual heads will be along now to downplay things and tell us every city has these problems, it's always been like this, just covid makes it more visible etc etc.

No. The place has actually deteriorated massively over just a few weeks /months. Turning a blind eye to the problem won't make it go away. Not long I fear until we start getting the first reports of violent crimes being committed against passers by.

i work right by the clayton and park in the underground car park. every morning they are outside in big groups. its very sad for them that its come to that in their lives. however its intimidating for people walking around with the fear that they are off their heads and desperate. as you said it is just a matter of time until a serious incident happens. typical cork mentality is to say its fine and we are a great county etc. its blindingly obvious this is a problem and will only get worse.

Stepping Stone

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Yes op it's very bad around that area. Was always a few around, but over the past few weeks their numbers have exploded, with some much rougher / more intimidating looking heads around. The previous, mostly harmless older drinkers seem to actually have been hunted off by this new crowd and now tend to congregate down by the docks.

As to who they are and where they've come from, not entirely sure, but I'd say the large numbers on temporary release from Cork prison might have something to do with it. Also noticed a few of them have definite Dublin accents, maybe they've relocated as they feel the authorities in Cork are a softer touch.

Before Covid I used to get the train to Dublin regularly for work. For at least the last two years I have noticed a huge increase in the number of junkies heading from Dublin to Cork. They must be shooting up in the toilets because they would be in there for about two hours of the trip. Free travel is part of the problem. There has been a huge increase in the number of Dublin accents, the behaviour and the numbers in the last few years. Had to call the Gardaí because one of them had a group of teenage girls cornered and was demanding money. I’ve seen him being taken away by Gardaí a few times since.

Biker79

The real issue there is disability allowance.

It can be easily scammed with addiction issues. The stats don't appear in the unemployment figures either.

Herb Powell

Have had some try initiate physical altercations recently alright. Won't say they "threatened" me, as I'm a physically fit young man and most of these poor fucckers can barely stand while they're roaring abuse at me. Still, not good. I don't know for sure if it's getting worse, but a lot of them seem to be more on edge.

Biker79 wrote: »

For some, being a junkie is simply a lifestyle choice. Like going to college or getting a trade.

It's really not. Nobody wants this life, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Should be more empathy to go round at the moment the way things are. I'm not talking about excusing violent behaviour, but spreading dehumanising rubbish isn't going to help anyone.

Biker79

Herb Powell wrote: »

It's really not. Nobody wants this life, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Should be more empathy to go round at the moment the way things are. I'm not talking about excusing violent behaviour, but spreading dehumanising rubbish isn't going to help anyone.

Disagree. The more empathy directed at the problem, the bigger it gets. You have to see how many there are in Dublin. Quite literally overflowing to the rest of country.

Nobody forces them to take drugs. Actually, you would want to be pretty stupid in this day in age ..unless you're a farmer in Afghanistan.

Compulsory military service for certain males would solve the problem IMO. Or at least keep it to 90's/00s levels.

NasserShammaz

It's really not. Nobody wants this life, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Should be more empathy to go round at the moment the way things are. I'm not talking about excusing violent behaviour, but spreading dehumanising rubbish isn't going to help anyone.[/quote]


Says someone who has never had to deal with the skum, clear up the blood and piss soaked **** in your doorway every morning face aggression and threats... live beside their constant fighting shouting and have you and your kids see ****iin junkie skum having a **** in broad daylight on a main street... empathy my hole...I'm sick of virtue signaling BS from people who don't deal with it and particularly self righteous clowns like inner city helping junkies ...these arsehole had the cheek once to tell me to not move 2 of these vermin from our doorway because " there doing no harm" as we were trying to open up and had kids as young as 7 -8 waiting listening to the abuse.. skum...why the should have places in city centres is beyond me. Focus in temple bar is a filth magnet, fights and open dealing and taking everyday..empathy yea ....personal responsibility

Pen Rua

We go to morning Mass at a city centre church that has space out front which is commonly used for rough sleepers.

Last summer, there was a group who slept rough there. The church community looked after them and brought them what they needed to keep themselves safe & comfortable as possible. There were plans for a night shelter to be opened but these were abandoned when COVID hit.

During that same summer, another group came to try use the space and that's when it all went downhill. They kept arguing amongst themselves and it was rather unsightly. Blood was often on the church steps. For a period, a certain man took it upon himself to "guard" the area and he was off his head 99% of the time. It was intimidating for the older people trying to get in. On more than one occasion, this man interrupted Mass and was threatening to the priest (and people). They would play music all day (and night - I live near by) and would be loud during Mass.

After back and forth w/Gardaí, he was moved on.

Now we're at this summer. Another group is sleeping rough but they are, for the most part, fine and keep to themselves. Over the last two Sunday's we have had more young, Irish people begging at the church. Pre-COVID it was Roma people (who we haven't seen since - curious!).

A couple of weeks ago, one of the men from last summer's group came back and would wander around the church during Mass. He would not interact with the people but his mere walking & nosing was intimidating. A call was made to the Gardaí and he hasn't been back since (but I see him around the city).

Speaking to the church community, similar groups have slept rough and the community has always tried to engage and help. In some circumstances, the group flat out refuses the aid.

Unrelated, a couple of weeks back myself and some friends went for food at Clancy's and sat outside. A man came up and was begging. Three of us said no, but a fourth said he would only buy the man food. The man refused and wanted cash. My friend persisted and said no cash, food only. The man refused again and my friend offered a drink instead, which the man reluctantly took. Offer them food/drink (what they "ask" for) and they will refuse...

It is so, so hard to pass these people. We do not know their story & do not know where they have been and what they have been through. Equally, I am hesitant to reach out for fear of being harmed (based on prior experience - see above) and seldom carry cash to begin with.

Herb Powell

NasserShammaz wrote: »

Says someone who has never had to deal with the skum, clear up the blood and piss soaked **** in your doorway every morning face aggression and threats... live beside their constant fighting shouting and have you and your kids see ****iin junkie skum having a **** in broad daylight on a main street... empathy my hole...I'm sick of virtue signaling BS from people who don't deal with it and particularly self righteous clowns like inner city helping junkies ...these arsehole had the cheek once to tell me to not move 2 of these vermin from our doorway because " there doing no harm" as we were trying to open up and had kids as young as 7 -8 waiting listening to the abuse.. skum...why the should have places in city centres is beyond me. Focus in temple bar is a filth magnet, fights and open dealing and taking everyday..empathy yea ....personal responsibility

Yeah yeah, lot of assumptions you make about me there based on absolutely nothing.

Biker79

With a comprehensive social welfare system in Ireland..( and is internationally regarded as a quality mechanism for redistribution of wealth ) .how can your circumstances be so bad that you end up like that?

The only answer that makes sense is that its personal choice. I remember genuinely poor people in the 80s, when I was a child. They were truly grateful for any help from people and the church.

But these people are just out and out self-destructive nihilists. Everything is paid for...in fact, with begging, the percentage of their disposable income is probably on par with most peoples in the country.

Pen Rua

Biker79 wrote: »

With a comprehensive social welfare system in Ireland..( and is internationally regarded as a quality mechanism for redistribution of wealth ) .how can your circumstances be so bad that you end up like that?

The only answer that makes sense is that its personal choice. I remember genuinely poor people in the 80s, when I was a child. They were truly grateful for any help from people and the church.

But these people are just out and out self-destructive nihilists. Everything is paid for...in fact, with begging, the percentage of their disposable income is probably on par with most peoples in the country.

Most nights when I come home where is a group of volunteers giving food to these groups. I do not know who the volunteer group is.

Moreover, they have loads and loads of clothes, tents and sleeping bags. More often than not, they just dump them in the church and move on to a new spot. There is commonly human s--t left in the tents which leaves it horrible for whoever has to clean it up.

They are seldom left wanting for food, water, clothing and bedding. When it comes to actual help (counselling, support, housing etc) I cannot comment.

Dbu

Just after witnessing a guy in grey tracksuit, take tabs out of the crack of his arse and give them to a couple on Patrick st right now at 11am.
They literally popped them into their gobs, gave him what looked like a €50 note and wandered off

First time ever witnessing something like this

Pkiernan

Thus us what we reap when we sow tolerance.

Biker79

Pen Rua wrote: »

Most nights when I come home where is a group of volunteers giving food to these groups. I do not know who the volunteer group is.

Moreover, they have loads and loads of clothes, tents and sleeping bags. More often than not, they just dump them in the church and move on to a new spot. There is commonly human s--t left in the tents which leaves it horrible for whoever has to clean it up.

They are seldom left wanting for food, water, clothing and bedding. When it comes to actual help (counselling, support, housing etc) I cannot comment.

Exactly right. The problem is not material poverty.

Housing wouldn't be an issue if they were capable of responsible behaviour. Plenty of social houses all over the country, if you're prepared to take a house anywhere, to keep a roof over your head.

hottipper

good video of whats going on in san fran at the moment - cork is a few years behind i guess but getting there

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw8MACDZ3RI

the beer revolu

The life of Riley, it seems.

I think I'll move to the streets and live off charity and be absolutely minted from begging. Who wouldn't, when it's so fantastic?
Mmm, free soup and sliced pan sandwiches!
Ah the freedom of living in a tent in a city!
The comradeship of fellow, Rileys!
All the second hand blankets and duvets you can imagine.
The joy of shltting outdoors!
For the very occasional damp night, there's fantastic dormitory accommodation - great craic very secure, I believe.
Free sex, too on the streets - raping your fellow homeless people is all the rage, now.
What a life. Only a fool would reject this opportunity.

Gerry Hatrick

Drugs are a problem in the majority of European and US cities it's not just Cork. I passed through Naples last year on my motorbike for an overnight stay and it was like a scene from the walking dead. We've lost the war on drugs.

Infernal Racket

the beer revolu wrote: »

The life of Riley, it seems.

I think I'll move to the streets and live off charity and be absolutely minted from begging. Who wouldn't, when it's so fantastic?
Mmm, free soup and sliced pan sandwiches!
Ah the freedom of living in a tent in a city!
The comradeship of fellow, Rileys!
All the second hand blankets and duvets you can imagine.
The joy of shltting outdoors!
For the very occasional damp night, there's fantastic dormitory accommodation - great craic very secure, I believe.
Free sex, too on the streets - raping your fellow homeless people is all the rage, now.
What a life. Only a fool would reject this opportunity.

There's a lad right now sitting outside Centra on Oliver Plunkett Street in a full North face tracksuit and Nike Vapormax runners which look straight out of the box. He's begging away not a bother on him. His clothes and runners cost about 3 times the price of what I am wearing so yeah, begging seems to be lucrative enough around these parts

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

.............but over the past few weeks their numbers have exploded, with some much rougher / more intimidating looking heads around. The previous, mostly harmless older drinkers seem to actually have been hunted off by this new crowd and now tend to congregate down by the docks.

...................

The usual heads will be along now to downplay things and tell us every city has these problems, it's always been like this, just covid makes it more visible etc etc.

No. The place has actually deteriorated massively over just a few weeks /months. ...........

surely if it's the last few months it's likely that the Covid situation is a huge factor, there's definite correlation.

Herb Powell wrote: »

Have had some try initiate physical altercations recently alright. Won't say they "threatened" me, as I'm a physically fit young man and most of these poor fucckers can barely stand while they're roaring abuse at me. Still, not good. I don't know for sure if it's getting worse, but a lot of them seem to be more on edge...............

Many of them make money from begging/harassing passers by, that revenue stream has been reduced with reduced footfall. They are likely desperate for a fix in many instances.

Biker79 wrote: »

With a comprehensive social welfare system in Ireland..( and is internationally regarded as a quality mechanism for redistribution of wealth ) .how can your circumstances be so bad that you end up like that? .............

Many just tried heroin once and presumed they'd not turn into junkies I imagine. I know a few lads in their 30s and 40s who I remember looking down their noses at junkies who are now smack heads themselves, none of them ever worked etc but they'd have been functioning enough as normal people (ish). One got addicted in jail after trying it out of boredom presumably, he was a hardened criminal back in the 90s, he's now back in on drug offences after being caught with heroin.


I can see where the OP is coming from, I don't live in Cork anymore but am a frequent visitor (less frequent of late due to Covid etc) .......... back in April or May I walked half of Oliver Plunkett Street to go to the AIB by McDonalds and I was surprised at the amount of junkies etc that were about on a Sunday afternoon.

I used to be in town at least two Saturdays/month prior to Covid.

Infernal Racket

Infernal Racket wrote: »

There's a lad right now sitting outside Centra on Oliver Plunkett Street in a full North face tracksuit and Nike Vapormax runners which look straight out of the box. He's begging away not a bother on him. His clothes and runners cost about 3 times the price of what I am wearing so yeah, begging seems to be lucrative enough around these parts

Oh hang on, he's just moved on only to be replaced by 2 more off their head types. Holy crap, this city is ****ed

JackieChang

Dbu wrote: »

Just after witnessing a guy in grey tracksuit, take tabs out of the crack of his arse and give them to a couple on Patrick st right now at 11am.
They literally popped them into their gobs, gave him what looked like a €50 note and wandered off

First time ever witnessing something like this

Haha!

I passed a guy taking a shyte on the street in broad daylight. One of the streets off Oliver Plunket, near that new hip gym. Not a bother on him. He looked directly into my eyes as he was squeezing it out.

Biker79

hottipper wrote: »

good video of whats going on in san fran at the moment - cork is a few years behind i guess but getting there

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw8MACDZ3RI

Interesting that the policies of empathy and personal rights/ liberty have only made the situation much worse.

LuasSimon

Visited Cork city lately and at the bottom of Patrick street near the river there was drug addicts fighting with two of them kicking another on the ground . My teenage children were upset and we cut short our day in cork city and headed out of it as they were scared to walk round .
Went out to Crosshaven which was lovely but I’d be slow bothering going into cork city again unless crime is tackled there . Serious drug problem according to a workmate and the judges don’t care about the city giving suspended sentence after suspended sentence to the dealers .

JackieChang

LuasSimon wrote: »

Visited Cork city lately and at the bottom of Patrick street near the river there was drug addicts fighting with two of them kicking another on the ground . My teenage children were upset and we cut short our day in cork city and headed out of it as they were scared to walk round.

I'm the same as you and I don't even have kids! I try to avoid it as much as I can now.

I've just found the city increasingly menacing over the last few months.

I was sitting outside the Electric one evening and the guards chased a junkie around the corner and caught him right in front of us on the grass. He was resisting arrest and the guard warned him that he'd be pepper sprayed if he didn't stop resisting. The junkie said "GO ON AND F&^ING PEPPER SPRAY ME SO" and one second later he was screaming in agony after being pepper sprayed into the eyeballs.

Another time myself and the missus went into town to get something to eat and have a pint, about 6pm. We were sat out the front of Riardens, getting ready to order a pizza but there was some mad junkie woman in the middle of the road screaming at any car that passed by. Then she made her way over to us and started shouting again, couldn't understand a word she was saying as she had no teeth. Riardens bouncer came over and moved her along but at that point we said f&%ck this and went home.

Literally every time I've gone to town I've witnessed some unsavoury stuff.

jimgoose

Biker79 wrote: »

Interesting that the policies of empathy and personal rights/ liberty have only made the situation much worse.

And there it is. Progressive policies/politics are well-and-fine, but you need the Wallopers on the street as well, or chaos reigns.

NasserShammaz

Herb Powell wrote: »

Yeah yeah, lot of assumptions you make about me there based on absolutely nothing.

Yeah yeah..... you said empathy....anyone who deals with this **** day in day out has had all their empathy exhausted, no doubt you would have us all believe that all junkies / homeless are just down on their luck philosophers and artist...