2017 belonged to the beggar scourge123rf People should not give beggars money as most of them are not homeless and money dropped into their hats is more likely to fuel alcohol or drug addiction, says Christchurch City Mission chief executive Matthew Mark. READ MORE:* Christchurch's 'streeties' tell their stories* Beggars are not 'stray animals', advocates say* Don't give money to beggars, Christchurch social services say* National crisis: How do you solve a problem like begging? However for me 2017 belonged to the beggar. People should not give beggars money as most of them are not homeless and money dropped into their hats is more likely to fuel alcohol or drug addiction, he says. "I am fascinated by the impulses that lead us to give money to people begging on the street," he writes.

Source: Stuff December 28, 2017 23:02 UTC