DECEMBER 27, 2024 RECOVERY Substance abuse by the homeless, from the homeless In California, many homeless people have been arrested, and homeless camps and settlements towed and/or dismantled with homeless people’s belongings tossed in trash dumpsters. A primary reason is narcotics (pills, meth, heroin, cocaine, crack, fentanyl) used in public, not to mention the vast percentage of public alcohol use or abuse. I've seen this in Wayne County, Washtenaw County, and out here in Orange County (California) as well. Taking the public bus to work one day, I sat down in a seat for the disabled facing a homeless man obviously intoxicated, and muttering to himself, causing others on the bus to feel uncomfortable and wary of his behavior. At one stop, a man boarded with a backpack, surfboard and a skateboard. He sat down a seat or two away from the intoxicated man, close to the driver (who had been noticing the intoxicated man). The two obviously knew each other, as they started a banter with each other. The next stop a young Latino man boarded and sat a few seats away from me. homeless? Another reason is fires started carelessly at homeless encampments, perhaps by tossing lit cigarette butts near brush only to be carried elsewhere by the winds. But let’s get back to the drug use. The reality of being homeless is JAMIE CAMERON Groundcover vendor No. 612 The intoxicated man took a half full bottle of vodka out of his backpack and took a few shots. He then put the lid back on and put it in his backpack. He began an insult spree about Mexicans. The bus driver stopped the bus and told the intoxicated man to get off the bus and that police had been notified. The drunk homeless man grabbed his backpack and other belongings and deboarded the bus. He was likely to be arrested due to his demeanor and his possession of an open intoxicant. This is not the only story I have to tell on the topic, but my stories are not the reason for the article, are they? Why is the public eye on the Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling an issue more than 4 weeks old. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from traumatic and sucks … and ever increasing. Sometimes people get hooked on something for reasons other than homelessness too. But why in public? Well, they are homeless, and police are shutting down encampments that line the city streets, mainly tents. So, how do they afford the drugs? You really don’t want to know. Those who use alcohol and/or narcotics on public transportation are generally avoided and/or ignored. Those who use in public alleys, if seen by police, get arrested. Same with public restroom buildings. See the connection? Who is in charge of these public buildings? But on the other side, why do rehab centers cost an arm and a leg? This must change. GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code or leave positive review of a Vendor experience please email contact@groundcovernews. com or fill out the contact form (QR code below) on our website. Thank you! Open 10am–8pm Daily Hang out in any of our five locations across town, browsing books, magazines, newspapers, and more, or check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, and home tools— you name it! Study and meeting rooms, fast and free WiFi, and plenty of places to sit and hang out. Public Computers The AADL has public-access Internet computers available for use by both cardholders and noncardholders at all five locations. Each station has USB ports, headphone jacks, and some of the fastest wifi speeds in town! Byte Club An exclusive club for AADL SUPER FANS and library people like you! Byte Club will help you connect deeper with the Library you know and love, and share special sneak peeks of new things coming soon. The first rule of Byte Club is that you tell everyone about Byte Club! Ready to join? Visit aadl.org/ byteclub to get started. FEATURED EVENT 5 Sunday, January 26 • 1–4pm Downtown Library Looking for a preschool? The annual Preschool Expo brings representatives from area preschools to one location on one date. Connect with schools in Washtenaw County and explore your options to find the best preschool for your child! Visit aadl.org/preschoolexpo for a list of participating schools.
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