Why state the obvious? In 21 plus years of renting houses, as you might expect there have been some funny and not so funny experiences.
We know of at least one incident involving a police raid and at least one other police visit to two separate houses, prior to 1995.
Before you benignly turn a blind eye to your housemates addictions or private, 'non-of-your-affair', social habits, you might be more motivated by the likely consequences for you. see also reasons2bcheerful
A group of housemates were sitting watching TV one evening. All but one housemate was present. None took drugs, but they knew their absent housemate did take illegal drugs... but that was his affair - wasn't it? As he arrived they heard the entrance door close and his footsteps disappear upstairs as many times before. No one gave it a second thought. Had the housemates any inkling of what was about to happen they would certainly not have chosen him as a housemate. But, well... I mean... it was just a few puffs, nothing serious really, so what did it matter...?
Nearby, round the corner and out of sight, a police van was parked and awaiting the drug taker's arrival. Inside the vehicle a veritable army of riot police officers were about to descend upon the housemates, disturbing their nonchalant world.
The police had reason to believe that the housemate who had just arrived had illegal drugs on his possession. It would have made no difference even if the drug taker was just a visitor, the consequence would be the same. The venue is all that mattered; the house concealed illegal drugs.
Hitherto, had the tenants countenanced the consequences, they could be forgiven for thinking, I am innocent! Unfortunately this is not merely innocence but also naivety. Complicity has consequences. Within seconds, just like the TV program, "the Bill", the front door was knocked in without permission or warning. Inside, the unsuspecting tenants remained seated (if not frozen to the spot) in front of the TV - but no one was watching the TV now! A live performance of the bill was being played out for real in their lounge. Suddenly drugs had their undivided attention. It mattered not whether anyone was adding the finishing touches to an assignment, having a shower, or sat on the toilet! The police entered without regard to timing or dignity. A loud shout "police stay where you are," and everyone froze. The police quickly entered every room whether or not locked. Any toilets were instantly accessed - so drugs evidence was not flushed away. If one happened to be sat on the toilet at the time of the police entrance it would make no difference. Each person was courteously subjected to a naked body search - by a same sex officer. "I have never been so embarrassed in all my life" said one. "the most terrifying experience" commented another".
So think again before you turn a benign eye to your housemates' drug taking?
Alternatively if you take drugs, do you still think it is acceptable to potentially subject your housemates to such humiliation and terror? What is more, if illegal drugs are found, any entry damage is the responsibility of the tenants - not the police.
On another occasion one tenant found his drug habit escalated.
The drug addiction became progressively more expensive. However, his addition was not limited by his income; only by how quickly he could convert your possessions into dough for dope.
Once out of control the addict will steal to fund the habit. Your possessions merely fund the next fix.
Do you still think your drug taking housemate(s) will not affect you?
One musician had a valuable and treasured instrument stolen when her housemate broke into her locked room. Yes her own housemate in one of our houses!
You might have sat on a settee when something from your pocket fell down the side. Blindly fumbling down the side to retrieve the item you might painfully experience a prick to your fingertip - a heroin needle left in the folds of the settee by your addicted housemate or friend following "jacking up" Is the needle infected? Do you still think your housemates drug habit is so innocent? Your housemates friends can impact upon you! Take care!
Nick - a homeless drug addict once said - "people lacking understanding often say to me", "it's your own fault, you shouldn't have started taking drugs". to which Nick would helplessly reply, "It might have been my decision to start taking drugs, but once addicted, all my decisions are now made for me by the craving to satisy my addiction".
So the moral here is say no to drug taking friends when they offer to share a house or drugs with you. And if you are considering experimenting with drugs, think of Nick whilst you still have a choice. |
