The city of Essen in western Germany has raised some eyebrows when it announced that it would begin a trial project that will pay alcohol and drug addicts in beer, tobacco, food and $1.50 and hour in cash to clean up the city’s streets.
Project “Pick Up”, as it is being called, is geared towards individuals who have not had success with conventional therapy programs, and will hopefully help those who are not yet able to eliminate their addiction by steering them away from heavier substances while also providing social and medical services.
According to project manager, Suchthilfe Direkt, “Pick Up” reintegrates the most severe substance abusers into society where they need a daily routine to get back on their feet.
Naturally there has been some criticism towards the plan, with one homeless aid group calling the project dehumanizing and calling into question the use of public funds to provide alcohol to alcoholics.
Source: Al Jazeera
Photo: Federico Moroni [Flickr]
