It used to be that I would hear about what they were planning and have a talk with them about the challenges they were facing. But I quit doing that because I realized I was wasting my breath and that they were going to do what they wanted to do.
Some of them would actually follow through and find a house or two and begin taking in residents. And interestingly enough they would start a program that had almost the same rules and guidelines as ours. In fact their program would look pretty much like ours, but with a different name.
But of the ten or twelve who actually got a program off the ground I don't know any of them that are in existence today. One of the last ones who started his own program recently died of liver failure after he relapsed.
Another one was murdered while he was collecting rent on a Friday night. And still another died of a heroin overdose. He was released from a rehab where he was sent to recuperate after being beaten during a robbery attempt. As soon as he left the rehab he picked up some heroin and accidentally overdosed.
People don't realize the challenges they face in this business. Many look at it as a get-rich-quick scheme. But they don't take into account all of the work involved.
Buildings need maintenance. Clients need to be fed. Lease payments have to be made, as do taxes. Clients need clothing. Sometimes they have medical emergencies. Many need dental and vision care.
The work never ceases when one is taking care of a few hundred addicts at a time.
But I never discourage those who try to open a program. They may succeed and actually help someone change their lives. In fact if their motives are good and they really want to help people I wish them the best.
They just should be ready to do some real work.
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