Today “Friendly Manitoba” is more a sarcasm than a motto in which residents can take pride.
The case of Faron Hill demonstrates that not only do many people not care to be kind and supportive, but that they can be outright hostile to those who are.
It isn’t only those involved in his recent beating but also those who believe that because he tried and lapsed in treating his addiction, he lacks worth and is responsible for his own problems. Quick to condemn and unforgiving they are typical of a larger malaise in society today. The verbal attacks that I have read in comments sections are just as irresponsible as the recent physical assault?
It isn’t as if Mr. Hall didn’t try to improve himself in the wake of public acclamation, he merely stumbled on his path to recovery. But it seems to be the nature of people today to attack someone who is down.
It isn’t just public opinion but also the system of care that has evolved in recent times?
Over the years health budgets have been increasingly cut or limited. Patients turned out onto the street before they are ready. Many would relapse and must return to care. But policies had changed and there often was no longer someplace to go. Left with prescriptions and little or no follow up, they would often become unemployed and homeless. Addictions are complex and often chronic. You can’t just hand someone a prescription and send them on their way.
Is it right to sacrifice lives in order save a few bucks?
While every government and organization must be efficient, diligent, and conscientious in handling its budget, what I have seen is a pattern of greed developed where the top dogs take care of themselves. Responsibilities have become casualties in the stampede of self interest. Decrying limited funding, top salaries and administration spending still increase. To compensate the needs of the people are ignored. Oh there may be a trickle around election time or in the face of an extremely embarrassing news story, but largely money that should be doing work is hoarded by those in control.
Hall in the meantime has had a harsh lesson indicating that he could no longer straddle a life of recovery and his old life of alcohol abuse and party acquaintances. If he was trying to pull himself away from a destructive lifestyle, they clearly had no respect for his efforts.
Gordon Sinclair today wrote an article indicating that limited funding is ultimately far more expensive and destructive than providing appropriate services when they are needed (From the book “What the Dog Saw” – Million Dollar Murray: Why problems like homelessness may be easier to solve than to manage..”) Pasting Band-Aids on a haemorrhaging issue isn’t an answer. Responsible bodies must repair the wounds and allow a full healing process to take place.
Hall is fortunate however that there are still those willing to help provide recovery and support facilities (Two Ten Recovery, Inc.). Hall was moved to the front of a long waiting list.
On the down side, the fact that there is a long waiting list for this and other support systems highlight the fact that there is a need far greater than efforts to provide such vital services. And the public in general should stop simply heckling and hurling catcalls are the victims and focus on support and solid solutions.
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