Man’s house has become homeless acquaintance’s safe space at night

Dear Abby: I have an acquaintance I have known for 10 years. He is homeless and a heroin addict. His addiction has gotten worse over the last year and it is really bad now. He shows up at my home at all times of the night, sleeps on my porch and leaves wet, dirty clothes behind. He comes over high on heroin, nods out and acts very strange. I feed him, let him shower and even buy him clothes from the resale shops, but I need this all to STOP.

He continually needs something — money for cigarettes, a ride to here or there, clothes.

I am a 65-year-old semiretired man and I do not want or need a homeless heroin addict in my life in my remaining days on this planet. I have tried repeatedly to end this “friendship,” but he doesn’t have anyone. When I tell him to leave me alone, he breaks down and cries. It breaks my heart.

When we first met, he was a happy, friendly, handsome person, but now it’s horrible. He’s sickly and looks bad. I have even considered selling my home and moving. What can I do to finally get rid of this guy for good?

— Desperate

in Florida

Dear Desperate: By now you should have realized that you can’t fix what’s wrong with this person. In fact, you have become his enabler.

Tell him you have done everything you can, but it hasn’t helped him straighten his life around.

Offer to help him find a drug rehabilitation program. Then tell him that until he demonstrates a willingness to help himself, you do not want to see him again.

If he shows up stoned after that, rather than give him showers, money and clothing, call the police and have him removed from your property.