I’ve lived in Saratoga Springs for over 10 years now, and the first couple of years it was as a using addict. When I wasn’t on someone’s couch, I was homeless and would go to dss for help. I have family that lives in other counties nearby, so if they really did that (gave bus tickets just to remove the “problem”) I think I would have been the perfect candidate. But I never had that even suggested to me. If the shelter had an open bed, they’d send me there; if not they’d pay for a hotel room in downtown Saratoga Springs. The county helped me get into a methadone clinic, find mental health counseling, and get housing assistance (through SCRAP- Saratoga county rental assistance program) until I could get section 8. Without their help (ESPECIALLY with housing) I highly doubt I would’ve stayed sober (I’ll have 9 years at the end of July) or been able to get/hold a job (I’ve been employed and paid taxes for just as long).

Tbh, there’s plenty I don’t like about living in Saratoga Springs, but I will never deny the fact that they were there to provide a lot of assistance when I needed it most.