So I watched some harm reduction folks handing out foil, meth pipes at my local park and I started thinking about the fact these folks who do this are enablers, along with the city's homeless industrial complex fiefdom that keeps sucking resources from tax payers with very little impact.

What Is an Enabler? An enabler is usually a friend or loved one of an addict who passively allows or permits addictive behavior. This can manifest in various ways:

Lending money: Providing financial support that enables the person to continue their substance abuse. Ignoring problematic behavior:

Turning a blind eye to signs of addiction or minimizing their severity.

Covering for the addict: Protecting them from the consequences of their actions.

Enablers may not necessarily support the addiction but may feel powerless to prevent it or fear negative consequences if they intervene.

Enabling vs. Helping: Enablers often believe they are helping by providing support or covering up the addict’s behavior.

However, there’s a crucial difference: Enabling: Actions that allow the drug use to continue or mitigate its consequences.

Helping: Taking steps to prevent substance abuse and guide the person toward recovery. True help involves setting boundaries, encouraging treatment, and promoting positive change.

Signs of Enabling: Enablers need to recognize their actions and stop behaviors that perpetuate addiction. Signs of enabling include: Not addressing the addiction: Avoiding serious discussions about the impact of addiction. Providing resources for substance abuse: Such as money or access to drugs.

Minimizing consequences: Shielding the addict from facing the results of their behavior.

Remember that enabling behavior doesn’t lead to recovery; it only reinforces the addiction. To truly help someone struggling with addiction, we must learn to stop enabling and guide them toward healthier choices and professional support.