The Concern of Drugs and Users at the Workplace #1 (Trigger Warning)

TW: Drugs

Flashing lights, sirens, a whole battalion of squad cars, firetrucks and ambulances; just another day on the job...

Last month we had a strange man constantly skulking about the property. Most likely on some form of drug, he would come in, tarnished clothes and thrashing arms as he sidestepped his way about the lobby. Repeatedly, he would fall asleep at one of the tables, or would cause some disturbance, and we'd end up kicking him out.

This man was in his late 40's and homeless. His hair a brunette mess of dirt and curls, and his beard scraggly and misshaped along his face. Often, if not always, he sported a green trench coat and well-worn boots. Some days we wouldn't notice him in the store until someone would point out that he had returned, and he would have to be removed from the property once more.

I recall the last time he entered our store vividly. We hadn't seen him enter the store, but customers had noticed his intrigue with the restroom and thought it a good idea to mention it after he disappeared into the stalls for some time. While this was of no immediate concern as it hadn't been long since he entered, we did make note to check in a few minutes to see if he was still in there.

Some small amount of time drifted by as the hour got busier, and none of us had even thought to check at the time until one customer went to enter the bathroom. What he saw shocked him and he rushed over to the counter to inform us of his discovery: The man was sitting cross legged on the floor at the doorway.

I was first to check.

As I rounded the corner and opened the door, I saw him there. His back to the door, he was completely unresponsive to me as I made noise and asked him if he was okay.

I returned to my manager and informed him of the situation. 911 was called, and within minutes we had cop cars, ambulances and firetrucks stationed outside of the store. Police and EMTs swarmed the bathroom, ready for the worst. They brought in medications, water, and more.

This man wasn't just despondent,  he was overdosing.

For the next thirty minutes, the store would be cleared of customers for the first time midday since it opened.

In and out uniformed men and women would rotate like a revolving door. They moved the man to the booths to the left of the front counter and worked on him there.

A wave of success flooded the store as they were able to bring the man back to a conscious state. Drool still covered his mouth and he was barely able to move by the time the police began digging through the backpack he was carrying.

You see, this man wasn't just a homeless man. As it turned out, this man was a wanted felon, who was wanted for distribution of massive amounts of heroin and cocaine.

After a quick search turned up some paraphernalia and bags of substances, the man was escorted out to the ambulance and brought away.

This was a surprising occurrence for the day, but it was and is not all that uncommon. We've had cops and ambulances in and out of the store several times since I began working here a few years ago, and I doubt it'll stop any time soon.

It's hard to break stereotypes about places like this when these happenings continue on a regular basis.

Anyway, I just thought to share that story. It was interesting to me and I hope it was interesting to you.


If you like this and want more content regarding the life of working in fast food/customer service, please take the time to follow me for more content on here, on facebook, or on twitter.