Kent Police have lately announced another bold attempt to shoot themselves in the feet: instructing the public that it does no good to give money to street people since you will probably be feeding their drug habit.
Whilst this is true, or true-ish, it takes no account of cause and effect. If the police officer who issued the warning was to spend a few nights on the street s/he too might consider taking drugs, or at least drinking some strong cider, if available.
Drugs are not necessarily the cause of the problem but may be the only release available. In any case I think more people die from cold, alcoholism and suicide than drugs.
When there was such a thing as luncheon vouchers a friend of mine used to give hers to beggars. She said they were often deeply pissed off.
I don't generally give money (or anything else) to street people, but I don't need police advice about whether I should be doing so and I don't believe that the police are the experts in the subject, far from it.
In general silence is a virtue and that goes doubly if you are trying to be the thin blue line relying on public support so that you can police by consent.