Homeless people are having difficulty accessing substance abuse treatment in Greensboro. Many have told me that they’ve called or visited Guilford Center, the county mental health agency, and just been given the phone number for Bridgeway, the county treatment center. But when they call Bridgeway, they get a recording telling them to leave a name and number, which they can’t do, because they don’t have a phone. So they reach a dead end. No treatment.
I’ve been getting more calls than usual from police officers, seeking treatment for homeless people. The cops I know would rather take people to treatment than take them to jail.  I got a call today that really frustrated me. The cop says, “This guy wants treatment. He’s already been to Guilford Center. What should he do?” It’s not about what the homeless guy should do, it’s about what Guilford Center should do, or more accurately, should have already done when he went there for help. So I told the cop to please send him back there. And I called Guilford Center. I’m hoping that he’s getting more help this time. I guess we’ll see.
I was looking at the jail roster today. There are at least 42 people that I could quickly identify as currently or recently homeless. Without getting into anybody’s business, let me just say that there is a strong link between substance abuse and criminal behavior. Jail and prison cost more than treatment. When will we learn? When will we make treatment available — and accessible — for all those who need it? Until we do, jails and prisons will remain warehouses for the addicted poor and mentally ill poor.
*** Props to GPD cops for continuing to try to find treatment for our homeless friends on the street. Hope springs eternal… Thanks for joining us in that! 
I was talking with a homeless friend tonight when he told me he’s been denied food stamps because he is homeless.
Homelessness does not disqualify a person from receiving food stamps. There must have been more to it. If he was denied food stamps, he should have received something in writing explaining why he was denied. If it says “homelessness,” send him to me.
The county, on instruction by the federal government, is only allowed to give a person food stamps for u to 3 months over a three year period unless that person is employed. So unemployment was probably the reason for the denial, not homelessness. Does it make sense to me, NO! But I know many people who are denied because they have already received three months and are still unemployed.
Sheri, thanks for adding that info. And I agree that it’s a fairly nonsensical law. Employed people need food stamps more than unemployed people? Hmmm… I know it’s a work incentive, but tell that to the people who can’t find jobs or are waiting to get on disability.
P.S. Thanks for the work you do to help people, Sheri.