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List of homeless who didn't survive the streets totals 42
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL FILE PHOTO
Bret Brennan, 48, seen in April, was homeless before activist Gail Sacco, right, helped get him off the street. Brennan, stricken with cancer, died in November. » Buy this photo
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Updated: Apr. 10, 2012 | 10:17 a.m.
Eight accidentally overdosed on drugs.
Four others were beaten or shot to death.
Malnutrition contributed to the deaths of two more.
Most of them died alone, along the side of the road, in alleys, vacant lots or on the concrete floor of a drainage tunnel.
The Clark County coroner's office has released its grim annual list of homeless people who died during the year.
The office compiles the list before an annual December vigil, organized by homeless outreach workers, to memorialize those who died with few or no one to mourn or remember them. Similar events are taking place nationwide this month.
"These are the stark realities on the streets every day," said Linda Lera-Randle El, longtime director of the Straight from the Streets homeless outreach program. "Each of these people matters. They shouldn't be forgotten."
This year's vigil will be at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at HELP of Southern Nevada, 1640 E. Flamingo Road near Tamarus Street.
The list this year includes 42 people: 39 men and three women. Most of them were in their 40s or 50s.
Drugs or alcohol were contributing factors in 11 of the deaths. Four were homicides. Five of the deaths were caused at least in part by exposure to the elements. Only 13 of the deaths, so far, have been ruled natural. The cause of death was undetermined or still pending for nine of those on the list.
Outreach workers say they often come across deathly ill homeless people. These they especially try to rescue from the streets.
One of the rescued was Bret Brennan, who was quoted in a May 4 Review-Journal article about the outreach efforts of Gail Sacco, an activist for the homeless.
Brennan, 48, who was suffering from cancer, was one of several homeless people Sacco got off the street and housed in a home she owns.
He died Nov. 17 in a hospice facility Sacco had arranged for him.
"I've had homeless friends who have died on the street," she said. "It's like they're throwaways."
Often, homeless people are estranged from family and friends because of addictions or other issues, Sacco said. When they get ill, they have no one to turn to.
Brennan, for example, "couldn't give up his drink," she said.
Still, "everyone deserves dignity and respect," especially in their final days, Sacco said.
Outreach workers from Straight from the Streets earlier this year came across a homeless man who was suffering from advanced lung cancer, Lera-Randle El said. They arranged housing and sought medical care for the man, 61-year-old Willie Danielson, who had been sleeping on the ground.
Danielson continued deteriorating, and he died in a local hospital in early November, Lera-Randle El said.
He didn't die lying out on the street," she said. "We wanted to give him some quality of life, someone to talk to, someone to call out for."
Contact reporter Lynnette Curtis at lcurtis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285.
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Max:
I have about 1 beer a week, if that. I have never done any drugs of any kind. I won't even take an aspirin and I have excellent health because I take it upon myself to stay healthy- like eating right, not smoking, getting plenty exercise and NOT DOING DRUGS.
You are not as smart as you think Max, not everyone spends what is left of their check or bets it on football games. Some of us actually save and invest our excess money and we watch what we spend; it's called being responsible- something many people have never learned.
I think it's high time all people on the street who self-medicate their mental illness with alcohol and illegal drugs get a life and get themselves a regular prescription like Rush Limbaugh!
Here's something for all you high and mighty types to chew on. We're all about two missed paychecks away from being homeless ourselves. That is a statistical fact. So before you all break your own arms patting yourselves on the back, gloating at your own success, keep in mind that you're not that far from being the same homeless person that you are all so gleefully stomping on right now. Get over yourselves and start giving a hand to some people. And by the way, the reason for many of their problems wasn't the drug/alcohol abuse that they're experiencing now. The drug/alcohol abuse is a RESULT of their predicament in many of these homeless cases. How many of you are drinking right now? Do you really think you're going to quit when you become homeless?? Get a clue!
To Perez Hilton Is A Loser:
What's the matter dude? Too deep for you? Good of you to include the word "loser" into your moniker. Describes you well, but we really didn't need your help.
First of all, party affiliation has zero to do with this issue. I am in independent and vote for the best candidate- I have never voted straight party for any election.
These people who are strung out on drugs or alcohol have had enablers around them and they refuse to live by any rules except the ones they make up when it's convenient for them.
There is help out there if you are willing to do the work to get back on your feet but they don't want to work. You can go and get in a shelter as well as get help finding employment except you can't be drunk or out of your mind on drugs when you bunk down, if the suspect you are drunk- you cannot stay there- which is why they prefer to stay on the streets so they can stay wasted.
I have helped the less fortunate and have offered to get them a hot meal- the guy said I prefer the cash so I can get some malt liquor. that was the last time I offered and make donations to reputable charities who won't waste my money on a bunch of administration fees.
The gravy train is over as far as I am concerned which is why our tax dollars are "used" to help those who are down on their luck. The ones who refuse to help themselves can live with the choices they make. It's cold but it's how I feel.
Yoda wrote:
"The moment someone believes they actually CAN help themselves is the moment they start the road to recovery."
Perfectly said! The only thing I would add is often the first step is someone showing a little compassion and showing them their life is worth saving.
Regardless of what caused their situation homeless people are still human and deserving of compassion.
Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Isaiah 58:7
I don't recall any footnotes saying unless they drink, unless they overspent, unless they made bad decisions, etc.