My Nonprofit Reviews

Having witnessed firsthand both the services offered and the clients at Project Homeless Connect, it is my opinion that the program is both well received and beneficial to the community of San Francisco. I do not believe, as some may argue, that the endeavor perpetuates the problem of homelessness. The mental state that many of the clients exhibit suggests that they are incapable of seeking and maintaining a stable life, let alone securing their own healthcare. Does one then ignore the needs of those unable to care for themselves or, rather, ought one provide an opportunity for these needs to be met? Clearly the many healthcare professionals volunteering their time and expertise display a genuine concern for their community and are to be lauded for their efforts. While Project Homeless Connect is indeed praiseworthy, a certain program promoted as treatment for drug addicts is however questionable. The practice of exchanging needles, formerly known as Needle Exchange, is held by some to reduce the risk of spreading HIV; the logic being held in the assumption that those who are given clean needles will be less likely to share dirty ones, thus reducing the chances of contracting and spreading the virus. I find fault with this logic on two fronts. First, principally our protest of illegal drug use should be universal, and upheld through our actions. Therefore, in disagreeing with illegal drug use we cannot inadvertently condone it through the means of remedying another evil, the spread of HIV. In other words, the end does not justify the means. Secondly, as stated before, many of the homeless clientele are mentally incapable of rationally taking care of themselves, as evident through their drug use. If they are not responsible in one area of health, what gives the impression that they will be responsible in other areas of health; for example not reusing the clean ones given? Further, giving clean needles to drug users may detour one or two incidents of HIV spread, but one is unable to inject a drug when one lacks the means to do it; thus how many less drug injections would be possible without the supplying of a syringe? Some may argue that where there are drugs to be injected there will be the means to do it. The certitude of this statement is unknown, however, it is certain that if you supply a syringe, illegal drug use will definitely occur.

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