Tonight, a homeless woman was passed out in the small, walled garden that was donated to the shelter and built more than 20 years ago, when the administration wasn't trying to make the guests as miserable as possible by eliminating everything that isn't totally institutional. The new administration hasn't gotten rid of the garden yet, although I wouldn't be surprised if the administration has thought about it; so far, all the administration has done is to install prison-type lights that shine directly in everyone's face.
If it weren't for other guests, staff wouldn't have known that she was passed out for another 15 minutes, when staff go out to the garden to tell everyone that it is closed for the night.
I know that people who have some experience with substance abuse are horrified at that last sentence. For those who don't, I'll explain it: 15 minutes is more than enough time for someone who has overdosed to die.
