Homeless man talks openly about being addicted to heroin. We have an opioid crisis in America.
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN commenters point to it in threads on homelessness and drug policy as a short, honest firsthand account from an articulate addict.
What it is
A short street interview from Invisible People with Keith, a homeless man in Los Angeles who lost his housing-industry job in the crash and moved from painkillers to heroin because it was cheaper. He talks candidly about the grip of addiction.
Recommended by 3 HN commenters across 3 different months, 2021 to 2021.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec Grieving · 2021-04 · on “Heroin-Using Professor Wants to Change How We Think About Drugs”
Can't read with the paywall, and this is probably contrary to the message of the article, but this interview ( [this video] ) with a homeless heroin adict made a great impression on me. He comes off as both extremely self-aware and honest.
Strong rec blackandsqueaky · 2021-10 · on “My experience of losing a friend to heroin (2020)”
Extremely powerful 5 minute interview with an obviously intelligent homeless person addicted to heroin: [this video] Terrifying
Recommends nate_meurer · 2021-07 · on “Finland provides housing and counseling to the homeless (2020)”
> doing drugs to forget your life has been a mess for a long time is not a lifestyle choice decision. That's a bold statement. Choice and compulsion occupy the same place in hell. Youtube is actually a fantastic resource for the average Joe (like me) who wants to hear how it is straight from the source: [this video]
Cites itake · 2021-01 · on “Finland has slashed homelessness; the rest of Europe is failing”
> Have you actually talked to them? yes. Everyone has their own story. Checkout these interviews on Youtube: LA - [this video] Seattle - [LINK] The homeless I talked with in Boulder romanticize camping forever along the creeks and being free from society, while trying to leach off of public services. > Do you know why they prefer their lifestyle? Drug addiction, mental health, and in some cases lack of family support. > that drug addiction is a lifestyle choice Drug addiction is a choice. Based on my very limited personal experiences, you gotta commit to making a change (see above videos). Many addicts just aren't ready to leave their vices for a better life. No amount of rehab will help someone