There are two roommates in the apartment complex I live in which I recently discovered are both heroin addicts. They had invited me over one evening to drink with them, and while we were all pretty toasted, they just started pulling out their needles and asked if I minded that they were shooting up. I told them that I didn't care, but I was not interested in doing any of it myself. Admittedly, I've done almost every drug out there other than heroin at some point or another, and have had my own problems over the years with alcohol and cocaine addiction, so I wasn't going to be so quick to judge them - since plenty of other people in my life have seen me a mess on coke and booze. We had also been open with each other about our previous bouts with various other drugs. I recall several times in my past when friends/acquaintances/coworkers of mine had complained about me to others with regards to my drug issues, making remarks like "are you sure you trust him to do that, since he's a big coke head", so I know what it's like to have the stigma of being a drug user from others who don't do drugs. My concern now though is what's been happening at our complex in recent weeks. We've already had some incidents where various washing/vending machines were damaged as if someone tried to drill the locks off to get the money out of them. There was also an incident where a car was stolen from our parking lot. I'm fairly certain this is stemming from them, and the people they are bringing over to their place. They are behind on rent as it is, so it's only a matter of time before they get kicked out, so I am debating whether or not I should even say something to the management or not or just wait it out. The problem is, I believe I'm the only other tenant in there that knows they are shooting up, so if the landlord confronted them about it, they would know it was me and perhaps retaliate in some way, such as vandalizing or stealing my car or other property. It's just that it can take weeks if not months to finally evict a tenant who refuses to leave. Would you alert management or wait it out?
That's a tough predicament. Typically I mind my own business and encourage others to do the same, you and I both know how paranoid being messed up can make you, I would say if outed they will most likely target you. I would not alert management unless they are doing things that are somehow hurting me or my life. But I know many that would not just tell the property managers, they would start to get the police involved. But we also both know drug use does not mean they are inherently bad people, but desperate people do crazy things. Good luck on that one let us know how it turns out.
Isn't it more appropriate to report them to the police? At least where I'm from, if you catch people doing or pushing drugs, you have every right to alert the authorities. For bigger fishes such as drug king pins, you can even get a reward. Regardless of the reward, though, for your benefit and the benefit of your neighbors, report them. You can collaborate with the management for better resolution. Make a plan first.
Damn, what a dilemma! If you do alert the police, those people will probably assume it was you who did so and try something along the lines of what you mentioned in your post. But if you keep it to yourself and let the landlord do all the work, it might be a little safer for you. Just make sure that all your belongings are safely hidden for the time being. Perhaps try and make those guys feel as if you're their friend and you mean them no harm, so that they cannot assume it was you. I bet those guys know what's coming for them anyway so they probably won't blame you if you mind your own business.
What I would do, seriously is begin to document activity around your premises strange cars etc. and people visiting their apartment. If it seems like it is really getting serious you may want to go to management at that time. I think I might wait a bit myself. If they are junkies, they may forget they even talked to you in the first place, or maybe someone will notice the same thing and talk to management for you.
Wow, that is pretty brazen, I would never have done that in front of anyone when I was using. Personally, I would wait it out for a bit before contacting management. Like you said, you are the only one who really knows about their use, and I would avoid any type on retaliation or confrontation at all costs! Hope your situation resolves soon, please keep us updated
Have your reported these people for the heroin use? I understand you are in a rough spot with them being your neighbors, but when people like that are around, riff raff is going to come to your community. When people are high they are more likely to commit crimes and you could become a victim especially if you have something of value that they know about.
Don't bother. You might get in trouble, OP. Don't worry, sooner or later things will come into place and fix themselves, just wait until they get evicted. They will surely get evicted soon, plus you don't want to get them mad at you over this, things could get really ugly if you do. In cases like this the best choice is to simply wait and see.
I wouldn't say anything or do anything if I were you but if there is no chance they will be leaving the building, I may find somewhere else because I wouldn't want to be a victim of theirs. Just hope and pray they are out fast; they sound like very dangerous people who must not be in the same building as decent people.
Honestly, if it was me I'd just ignore it. I have people to live for and I don't readily assume that someone won't hold a grudge on me for certain things. It would be best to avoid the situation or if you're getting involved, do so from an anonymous point. No need to put yourself in danger over something that has nothing directly to do with you.
Reporting them to the police would be the right thing to do. However, you have to think about your safety because you don't know what they would probably want to do to you if they suspect that you have informed on them. I think you should try to avoid them as best as you can and do all that is possible to prevent them from accessing your apartment.
Yes, if you went directly to the police it would be like an anonymous tip. They would not necessarily know it was you who reported them. That might be the way to go, if this situation is still going on. If they are bold with you, other people may know what is going on to. It is something you can use.
Hello @OhioTom76. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't know what to do either. It's so hard to make a decision in that kind of situation. Anyway, it's been almost a month. So, how did it go with your neighbors? I hope the matter has been resolved already. Take care.
It is such a hard problem to deal with when it is close to home. Try to get the local authorities involved as much as possible if your landlord is not willing to evict them. I know that squatting issues tend to be hard to deal with too. Any possibility of moving any time soon?
I am a former heroin abuser myself and I know the power of this substance. Anybody that is under the influence of this drug can do just about anything in order to feed the habit. My advice is to try first to talk them into getting into rehabilitation center. If after you have genuinely tried your best and they are not showing any signs of getting help, then you will have to report them anonymously to the authorities. Being addicted to a substance is not an excuse to break the law. If you are absolutely convinced they are behind the crimes, then it will only get worse if it goes unchecked.
Well, they are your neighbours and I don't think that reporting about them to the police is a good idea. You can just stay away from them. In future, they will realise it. However, you can try to help them if you want.
If you keep it to yourself and let the landlord do all the work, it might be a little safer for you. Just ascertain that all your paraphernalia are safely obnubilated for the time being. Perhaps endeavor and make those guys feel as if you're their friend and you mean them no harm, so that they cannot surmise it was you. I bet those guys ken what's coming for them anyway so they probably won't incriminate you if you mind your own business.
It's a tough world, and I wouldn't want to make things any harder for substance abusers. As long as they don't hurt nobody, it's best to leave them alone until the landlord deals with them. However, if things are going missing on a regular basis, then maybe you should get in touch with the landlord.