It is believed that about 38% of homeless people abuse alcohol while 26% regularly use other drugs. These statistics show that substance abuse among this group is significantly higher than the general population. As a member of the public stop being a part of the issue and become a part of the solution. A good place to start is rather than giving the homeless money give your donation to an organization such as a soup kitchen or Beans Café. It would stop begging on the corners and put the dollars into organizations that work rather than into "spice and alcohol"!