Apartments Welcome Homeless AlcoholicsSEATTLE (AP) -- When Brian Steik lived on the streets, the government spent tens of thousands of dollars on emergency room visits and other services to keep the alcoholic alive.
Now social-service agencies are conducting an experiment: Offering Steik and dozens of other homeless drinkers subsidized apartments where they can keep boozing at a fraction of the cost.
The average citizen who hears about this project probably is appalled,'' said Bill Hobson, executive director of the city's Downtown Emergency Services Center, which constructed the apartments.
''Their concern runs something along these lines: 'Why do I want to spend my tax money on people who are not doing anything to help themselves?' The answer to that is: You're already spending it.''
. . . . . .
___________________________________________________________________
