America is known as a land of dreams for many of us but not for everyone. A country which takes the pride of feeding the world has a few of its own people who sleep hungry. Also there are a few others who do not have any suitable place to sleep and have to spend nights on the streets. This problem, especially in big cities, is getting worse every year. A new study conducted in Los Angeles nation’s second largest city, reveals a horrifying picture of its skid row residents.
A typical skid row person is fearful person under age 40 who is mentally ill or addicted to drugs or alcohol, according to a report, coauthored by Rodger K. Farr, MD, Psychiatrist for Los Angeles County, The study is based on the personal interviews with 379 homeless people in 1984 and 1985, Some of its findings are as follow: *Almost 14% of them suffered from serious mental disorder like schizophrenia during their lives.
*Half of them are addicted to alcohol or drugs.
* Almost one-quarter of them carry guns or other dangerous weapons. *About 23% eat only one meal per day.
*Many stay awake, all night to protect themselves from attack. *Nearly 30% of the skid row population is eligible for financial benefits that could help lift them from poverty.
This unfortunate population is known by various names like bag lady or vent-lady, etc. The state gov’ts and other local agency should join hands to help these people in order to absorb them back in the mainstream of American life. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervision estimates that there are 25,000 to 30 000 homeless people in that County.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 20, 1986
