All homeless people are drug addicts...

[Ose]

...apparently. I know this kind of thing is nothing really new, but it pisses me off every time I see it. I tried and failed to find a picture online.

In numerous locations near where I live, the council has put up posters depicting the outline of a dead body made up of small change. The text reads, 'If you give money to beggars in Newcastle city centre, they will probably spend it on drink or drugs that could kill them'.

Homelessness is an issue that really grabs my attention, as it makes the injustices of capitalism so obvious, so close to home. This poster campaign really rustles my jimmies. It demonises the homeless and advocates depriving them of what is often their only source of income, and as such is tantamount to saying 'we (the world's lucky few) would be better off if these people starved.' The poster does mention the name of a local homeless charity as an alternative for donation, but when there are people just around the corner who don't know if they'll be able to eat tomorrow...

At the bottom of the poster sits the logo of Northumbria Police. Is it just me, or does the slogan 'total policing' sound ominously Orwellian?

[ed miliband]

to be fair if i was homeless i'd probably get smacked up every once in a while

[Prometeo liberado]

I don't know about Orwellian but it does reinforce some pretty insane steroytypes. This is like saying that if only in-patient rehabs were available then the homeless situation would be erradicated. Most people know that is not the case but will use the drug thing as an excuse for looking the other way when they see a homeless person.

[Sam_b]

Apparently if you're homeless you're not allowed to do things that a lot of normal people who have houses do.

[Sasha]

fucking hell, if i was living there i would squat a cop station yesterday.
that and slam them with a court injunction

[Quail]

I'm pretty sure that there is a really high level of mental illness among the homeless. Put that together with the awful reality of actually being homeless, and it wouldn't surprising if homeless people abuse drugs. I'd probably want to get out of it if I ended up on the street.

I think it's pretty disgusting that these ads have appeared. The homeless are the people that have been failed by the system. Why is money being wasted on ads telling people to turn their back on them?

There are so many empty houses, it makes me angry that homelessness should even be such a big problem.

[Lanky Wanker]

There are so many empty houses, it makes me angry that homelessness should even be such a big problem.

But that means you're lazy and didn't get a job!!! Capitalism iz da b3st!!!!

[NewLeft]

But that means you're lazy and didn't get a job!!! Capitalism iz da b3st!!!!
Shut up commie, you just want other people to pay for you.
Socializm only works until you run out of rich ppls mon$y.

[Lanky Wanker]

Shut up commie, you just want other people to pay for you.
Socializm only works until you run out of rich ppls mon$y.

http://rayharvey.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/obama-socialism-attacks-capitalism.jpg

Glorious socialist leader Obama will use his communist state powers to give fat Americans free medicine for their heart conditions with your money. :hammersickle: :hammersickle: :hammersickle: Bend over, dirty cappie!! :hammersickle: :hammersickle: :hammersickle: