Handing cash to people is fraught with danger....to them. My siblings had the opposite approach and they are paying for it to this day. They took money from my parents constantly. One hasn’t held a job in over a decade and the other works a part-time job. When my sister was in her “cocaine days”, I bought her food because even gift cards got turned into coke. Not practical food but more exotic food that she liked. Olives, artichoke hearts, that kind of stuff.
I’ve just stopped buying stuff. I get books at the library and read them on the deck. I don’t need any more stuff.
I would not give to one of my three nieces for that reason. I only give when I know the reason, and the person, well enough to know that it won’t be misused. And, as I said, we’re not talking large amounts of money. This is usually enough to get groceries, or pay a utility bill. If in doubt, and there are small children involved, my husband and I will discuss the matter, and make a check directly to the utility or the landlord.