What if they’re not determined to hurt you, just determined to steal your stuff?
As soon as you show up, they are determined to not go to prison. Most of them have priors and don't want to go back. They also have an all consuming drive to get their fix, and you're in the way of that. They would run away themselves if they didn't want to hurt you.
Presenting a nonlethal weapon will show hesitance, and embolden them. I've dealt with crack, meth, heroin, fetanyl.. you name it heads. They are dangerous people, don't play around.
MC21 has a good application of the wandering drunk next to a bar. I'd personally break a rib or leg instead. Might go for the antenna if they are some kind of pussy liberal, but then it's not really self defense.
