Clinical psychologist in Kingston, Dr Kai Morgan, notes that individuals who fall into a lifestyle of begging may do so because they feel that it is the obligation of the 'non-sufferers' to help the 'sufferers'.

"If you are so kind as to lend a helping hand, it's not as much appreciated but thought of as a given. Therefore, they have justified, in their minds, that they deserved this anyway and you, as the better one, ought to give it to them.

"If you don't then you are all kinds of evil and if you do, then you should continue," the psychologist notes.

Some researchers claim that most who beg are not individuals in temporary difficulties, but people who are dependent on a begging income - often to fund a serious drug habit.

There is no evidence, they add, that reducing begging leads to more crime.

refusing beggars

Refusing to give to beggars, researchers say, can stimulate people to address their real needs, instead of avoiding them. It is better to provide food and other real needs rather than money.

One common criticism of beggars is that they spend money received on irresponsible or unnecessary items, particularly on drugs, alcohol or tobacco. This is often stated as a reason for not giving money to panhandlers.

In some communities, state and private charitable social services may be available, such as welfare, soup kitchens and homeless shelters, that may reduce any need for begging.

One 2002 study of 54 panhandlers in Toronto reported that of a median monthly income of $638 Canadian dollars (CAD), those interviewed spent a median of $200 CAD on food and $192 CAD on alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs ('Income and spending patterns among panhandlers', by Rohit Bose and Stephen W. Hwang).

- Partial source: www.thames research.org and www.wickipedia.com.