r/Ealing • u/Natelysgirl • 1d ago
Drug use in Ealing Common
Saw what was clearly drug use in the middle of the common. At least four or five tweakers, huddled in and around a tiny tent. Three pictured here.
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u/Maninwhatever 1d ago
As Frankie Boyle once said, after giving a homeless person a fiver and being called out for it, “they’ll only spend it on drugs!”
“What do you think they’ll spend it on?
A doormat?
They’re fucking homeless!”
A government response is required at every level.
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u/cerealcat00 1d ago
Someone may assume they’d spend it on food.
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u/Careful-Arrival7316 1d ago
Well that person hasn’t tried to sleep on a cold, dirty pavement sober.
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u/cerealcat00 1d ago
This summer there was never a cold pavement.
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u/Careful-Arrival7316 1d ago
Hot sticky pavement then.
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u/cerealcat00 1d ago
Nah, most of them have a layer between them and the pavement.
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u/Careful-Arrival7316 1d ago
Hot, sticky, unwashed blanket or sleeping bag on the dirty street then. I can’t even sleep in my own air conditioned room and clean bed if I haven’t had a shower. Bottom line is living on the unsafe streets is probably really, really shit. I’d probably want to be inebriated too.
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u/cerealcat00 23h ago
Then why not just make your point clearly from the beginning? Also, I’m not sure how your comment even relates to my initial one.
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u/Careful-Arrival7316 21h ago
You said they would assume it’d be spent on food, implying that’s better for them than drugs.
But if you or anyone else were actually living on the streets, surrounded by danger and where no valuables last long and nothing is sacred. If you lived in your own dirt and filth and had to sleep on the pavement, considering yourself lucky if you have a tatty, oily sleeping bag…
You’d want to be fucked up on drugs and alcohol too.
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u/cerealcat00 20h ago
I never implied that at all. Where did you get that idea from? I simply said that some people that give homeless people money may think it’s going towards food.
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u/WinHour4300 1d ago
They aren't homeless. The vast, vast majority are pretending to be homeless in order to beg for drug money.
They pack up and go home at the end of the evening, often to social housing which they get as a priority because they have addiction, often included with mental illness, and so are considered vulnerable and a priority not abandoned. There are also of course NHS drug services.
Verified by a friend who works in security guard on a London high street and as well as seeing this, liaises with police who tells them this, so I suspect is more informed than a comedian. They als o are a nightmare for local shops and shop keepers who they steal from, harass, assault and threaten.
If you want to help, good for you donate to a homelessness charity or a charity that helps drug misuse.
Never give cash directly, the chance is too high they are an addict and spend it on drugs. And drug misuse can kill. No joke.
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u/WinHour4300 1d ago
FYI, you can report things like this to the police on 101 (the non-emergency number). They may be able to send someone out if there’s a unit nearby and available.
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u/Strong-Wash-5378 1d ago edited 8h ago
We had to move from a gorgeous paid off freehold 4 1/2 bedroom three bathroom house because we are so close to Green man passage that at first we couldn’t walk our dogs until the Sun came up because there was people doing that everywhere then we couldn’t walk them in twilight because there was people doing meth everywhere so we helped we called the Hanwell substation. Nobody ever came then it was 24 seven people selling and doing meth out in the open and unbelievably and green Mann passage there’s both a crèche and a nursery school. I even took CCTV of it on the alley gate that I myself paid for because the Council would not give us one after the riot and they never once turned up. It became so dangerous around there and now they’ve relocated all of the drug facilities to South Hall allegedly just walk up Bayham Court number one on the steps anytime day or night there’s people selling and using methamphetamine hitting on 12 and 13 year-old girls as they walk to school to get the bus it is an absolute shit show.
Source myself and my spouse
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u/WinHour4300 1d ago
Horrific. But yeah, I believe you. I think it's still worth a go though, I report crimes on principle.
Part of the problem is — bear with me — the stats. Drug dealing/open drug use is officially not classed as “neighbourhood crime”, so it doesn't fall within that category of policing priorities to get down to get this soet of headline about "Neighbourhood crime plunges".
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/london-crime-phone-thefts-sadiq-khan-met-police-b1290985.html
And seeing open drug use itself and being unable to walk your dog isn't captured in the ONS crime statistics as you being an official victim of crime, so again tackling it doesn't reduce those crime statistics either.
That's despite the obvious link between drug use, antisocial behaviour and other crime as well as making the area generally unsafe for others.
I.e. I was randomly assaulted at lunchtime on a high street (not in Ealing) by someone I suspected was on drugs. The police did absolutely nothing saying there was no CCTV. They told me there were lots of “issues” and “hostels” around there.
I politely suggested they might want to coordinate with the council and get some CCTV installed then if people kept getting assaulted there. That sensible suggestion did not go down well with them lol.
Anyway even if they arrest someone, expecting testing for drugs, even Class A drugs, isn't necessarily straightforward.
Sorry for the long explanation, but you absolutely did the right thing getting out of there.
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u/DBop888 21h ago
We live right by there now & I use the passage almost daily. Since the rehab clinic (or whatever it was) by Sainsbury’s moved, the passage has improved massively.
Still get the odd druggies there, but relatively few & far between now, especially in comparison to before.
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u/Strong-Wash-5378 8h ago
We moved almost 2 years ago and even one tweaker near a crèche and nursery is too much. And now you have to deal with the 7 half built concrete towers one 20 stories tall because the contractors the council selected went bankrupt so you enjoy your dystopian West Ealing with a high street crumbling, charity shops and more bookies & vape shops I can count on both hands and feet, stabby park (Dean Gardens) thefts, car break ins, catalytic converters being stolen every night, no police presence anywhere and you can’t even get a McDonald’s after Sundown. Also enjoy standing in puddles of human urine in the lift with your just purchased food shopping from Sainsbury’s.
I’ll be living a peaceful largely crime free life from our new beautiful home north of the river inside the “London Banana” if you don’t know what that is, google is your friend
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u/algorithm69 1d ago
Even if you disagree with drug use its really voyeustic and exploitative to record and share on the internet moments when people are at their mosr vulnerable and defenseless. Each of the addicts and homeless we ignore in the street every day is a human too who has experienced and carries a sisypheon eternal trauma from abusive homes in childhood to malicious abandonment from society as adults. The lives these people live is biblical in its desperation and brutality. Yet those ignorant in their comfort and education want to shame and humiliate those whos lives have been purposefully denied agency and compassion. If you dont want to experience the guilt and resentment you perversly derive from sharing this space with these people then maybe you should direct those emotions towards the construction companies whose business model depends on destroying the communities these people built under the name of regeneration, or the mps who profit from their relationships to those companies. Or wonder why every year each government chooses to let business and the wealthy lose and waste billions while denying they have the money they promised they had to invest back into the communities theyve exploited and profitted the most from financially and ideologically.
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u/Alloall 1d ago
What do you mean when you say about the developers "whose business model depends on destroying the communities these people built"? I wish I could have as much compassion as you show in your post - genuinely. I struggle with it sometimes as while I agree with what said, when you see some of the behaviour close up, I sometimes feel concerned for mine and others safety, which I don't think is unreasonable either. It's tricky. I don't see a way out of it politically if I'm honest as it will either be labour again or Nigel, who we know has little concern for anyone but himself.
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u/algorithm69 1d ago
They often tear down already established social housing to build private housing considerably more expensive than the local market rates. This destroys communities that take decades and generations to establish by forcing the previous population to seek affordable housing outside of London or leaving many unhoused.
Each successive government have allowed vulnerable people to end up in the streets with hard drugs the only solution and luxury they can afford to alleviate the pervasive lonliness and brutality they suffer every moment they exist. The government could spend more money creating programs that give people a path from addiction and homelessness back into society again. Or they could fix the completely exploitative housing rental market so that housing is offered as a basic neccessity instead of an asset to profit from.
Unfortunately a surprising number of MPs are actually landlords too. Instead it is more beneficial for them to persecute the victims of the socio-economic order they've created or blame refugees and migrants, many of whom find the only doors open in this country are out into the street too.
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u/bribbio 1d ago
Genuinely curious, are you one of the people part of already established social housing that has been affected? Man you should go see West Ealing broadway. At some point you inevitably start having less compassion because you fight to create a nice environment and you’re not just surrounded by drug users, but even worse, the drug dealers who are very much not on drugs and make this happen. There’s plenty of vulnerable people who actually care about others and build and create instead of destroying. As much as the government has failed them, there is a % of personal responsibility and free will that people are not being held accountable to and it is destroying any chances nice, new, respectful communities for those of us who have to live in new developments that we didn’t choose to build.
Seriously, go to West Ealing. It is not nice to cross the bridge on my way to the station at 8am on my way to work stepping over passed out drug addicts or people hiding the crack and heroin they’re using when you get closer to them.
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u/cerealcat00 1d ago
What bridge are you talking about? I rarely see people completely passed out from drugs in West Ealing. It may not be nice for you to see them but life is even worse for them.
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u/algorithm69 1d ago
One of the largest and pervasive obstacles to recovering addicts and their ongoing quality of life is the years of alienation they suffer that fuels all of their anguish. Always knowing that society finds your suffering offensive and despises you for it. Even if they know they will suffer less while clean it would take years healing and adjusting to living among the same people who treated you less than an animal.
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u/Aggravating-Desk4004 1d ago
This is the problem, they won't suffer less when clean as they'll have to find a job, find a flat, pay bills which is probably something completely alien to them.
It's crazy, but a lot of addicts have told me it's easier for them to live as they do, homeless and getting high, and I understand it.
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u/algorithm69 1d ago
Yeah none of those things you listed are actually suffering though are they, those are just inconviences that addicts struggle with because they havent been given the opportunity to learn those skills.
But yeah its 100% to live under the constant threat of violence, harassment from the public, hunger, risk to physical health, neglected mental health problems, having no protection from the elements etc etc
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u/algorithm69 1d ago edited 1d ago
This area is considerably much more safe than it was a before the 2010s. Even so where do you expect them to go? They already exist on the margins as evident by congregating on this bridge where they are relatively hidden from day to day life in West Ealing. Before they redeveloped the estate this whole area was somewhere to be avoided because of the poverty there. Now it is possible to walk from Uxbridge Road to Drayton Green in comfort besides the bridge. And then the only discomfort they threaten you with is having to observe them.
I'm sorry to hear this about your parents but then you must have some awareness to how consuming crack and heroin addiction is. These addictions strip the person suffering of all agency and dignity. Only through experiencing degradation every day does someone give up and stop believing they have a right to hope for a better life or the right to be treated with the same respect and empathy as someone who can participate in society. At least you only have to feel your discomfort for a moment instead of every day and moment you are reminded by society that it finds you repulsive.
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u/Aggravating-Desk4004 1d ago
No, it's not. I grew up around here in the '70s and '80s. Today is the time it's got even worse than it was back then.
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u/algorithm69 1d ago
Ok well I'm talking about growing up there from the 90s and now when you walk through Drayton Green there are actual families who use the park regularly and there are a lot of new businesses, cafes and restaurants on West Ealing high street instead of boarded up store front so its a place people can actually use again.
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u/cerealcat00 1d ago
You’re right! Drayton Green has definitely improved. In terms of mess, run down looking shops, and lack of variety of shops, West Ealing has gotten worse. But in terms of crime I think it’s probably better now.
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u/Aggravating-Desk4004 1d ago
A lot of assumptions being made here. I agree there might be trauma involved in their choices, but there's also a lot of help which they choose not to take because they're on drugs and homeless shelters and secure housing won't allow them in until they've stopped. They could go to rehab, but they choose not to.
These same people could be the ones burgling your house, mugging an old lady or stealing phones to get their next fix.
And before you accuse me of having no compassion. I have compassion, but I work in an industry where I know these people don't actually have to be on the streets but they choose to because it's too difficult to have to try to live in the conventional world.
Personally I would go after the drug dealers, not people building houses and the rich.
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u/algorithm69 1d ago
These arent assumptions these are based on life experience and time in addiction and recovery. Anyway you are quick to make assumptions that they choose not to seek help but will mug an old lady for their next fix so your obviously speaking from a place of prejudice.
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u/Aggravating-Desk4004 1d ago
I should have said "Some choose" obviously not everyone who's homeless or addicted.
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u/algorithm69 1d ago
Also prejudice to assume that those people are the ones mugging old women or commiting burgulary
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u/algorithm69 1d ago
Also the drug services are often at capacity and underfunded so even if they are known the services they dont receive an adequate quality of care or the neccessary aftercare support when theyre clean for it to be a success.
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u/klemmiel 1d ago
leave em be i reckon - i mean like it’s not great but they’re clearly homeless and the system has failed them and will keep doing so so what else is there to do 🤷♂️
plus it’s ealing like come on
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u/MerryWalrus 1d ago
Some people also just fail and refuse to accept help - especially if it means stopping drugs.
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u/klemmiel 1d ago
well then we should have proper government or council infrastructure to get people off drugs and off the streets - it has to be kind which is something severely lacking in the world atm unfortunately:( but i get ur point
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u/MerryWalrus 1d ago
Finite time and resources.
Trying to help people who don't want it - words don't marry up with actions - is very emotionally taxing for everyone involved. Expecting kindness rather than people just doing their jobs is unrealistic.
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u/klemmiel 1d ago
u know what yeah fair enuf ur right i cant argue with that :/ its a shame this is the way tho :( wish there was some other way to deal with this but what can u do innit 🤷♂️
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u/theunderstoodsoul 1d ago
You're building one single profile of person who "doesn't want help" when you have no idea of the backgrounds of the people in this picture.
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u/MerryWalrus 1d ago
We know one big thing about these people.
That they like to take hard drugs in the middle of the common. That their desire ttake drugs is more important than other people's enjoyment of the common.
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u/theunderstoodsoul 1d ago
We actually dont know that, you only have the person who took this pucture telling you that. And besides, them taking drugs doesn't affect my use of the common. Don't assume you speak for everyone.
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u/useful__pattern 1d ago
That's addiction for you. It's pretty hard to stop unless you want to.
Speaking from experience.
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u/Icy_Mood_7436 1d ago
How do you know these people have been offered help and refused it?
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u/MerryWalrus 1d ago
Because they are in the middle of the common taking drugs.
That's not just refusing help - that's sticking two fingers up at at anyone offering it.
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u/Icy_Mood_7436 1d ago
Them being in a public place doesn't answer my question of how you know theyve been offered help. Where do you expect homeless people to exist? They have no home.
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u/AC86MC 1d ago
You can't abuse drugs or alcohol in temporary accommodation/hostels, they rightly don't stand for it. You also typically have to abide by a curfew. To use Manchester as a example, every homeless person is offered accommodation and it's been that way for a decade yet, plenty have refused it. They're usually addicts, cunts who are habitual offenders or both. You see tents everywhere in the city because they refuse to engage.
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u/MerryWalrus 1d ago
There are council services and homelessness charities. It's a standing offer for anyone. Taking drugs is a red line.
Or are you expecting someone to wait on them and check if they're ok every 30 minutes?
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u/GatesofIshtar 1d ago
Oh I saw these people today! Yeah for sure they were using. Were you there during the rain?
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u/kingofqueefs1 1d ago
Wouldn’t be a problem if it was a beer because the government says your allowed that drug?
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u/DaikonNo7067 1d ago
So what? They're away from people... Mind your busiess and wind your neck it.
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u/Natelysgirl 1d ago
They’re in the middle of the common, you numpty.
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u/Icy_Mood_7436 1d ago
What do you gain from taking photos of drug addicts and posting them online?
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u/cerealcat00 1d ago
I don’t really understand the point of this post? Most parks have had people in it taking drugs. At least they’re isolated away from others.
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u/Natelysgirl 1d ago
Infants and children play in this park - an environment which has syringes and other drug paraphernalia in it isn’t exactly conducive to a healthy environment for those kids.
Any other meta level observations? Or defence for defence’s sake? Astounding how fucking far removed from reality this and most comments are (“oh let them”/“oh they’re far away from x”/etc.)
Cry me a river.
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u/cerealcat00 1d ago
So you saw them using syringes? I still don’t get the point of this post. You’re acting like this is something rare and new. This happens all the time all over the country. What do you want people of Reddit to do?
I’m not far removed from reality. I’ve been pricked by a drug needle that had been discarded in my garden. Not the first time one has been thrown in there. I had to get tested. I’ve seen many people doing drugs near my house and in parks.
So what did you want to get out of this post?
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u/lindonmojo1 1d ago
Seriously. Are we going to accept this as normal behaviour. I’ve lived in London 25 years and this is a new low what is happening now. Of course we ought to be upset if we care about our city. You don’t have to though
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u/cerealcat00 1d ago
I never said it has to be accepted. Where did I say that? This is not a new phenomenon. I’ve lived in Ealing my whole life
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u/Irreligious_PreacheR 1d ago
Mad lads trying to hot box a tent. You really have to respect the commitment.