Homeless Population and Drug

Problem
 Who Is Homeless?
Federal Definition of Homeless
(United States Code Title 42, Chapter 119, Sub-Chapter I)

Homeless Person, Homeless Individual, Homeless is:

 An individual who lacks fixed, regular, and adequate

night time residence.

 An individual who has a night time residence that is:

Supervised (publicly or privately shelter), or temporary
living accommodation (hotels, congregate shelters,
housing for mentally ill).
Drug of Use And Abuse
Provides a means to get through
the day.
Drug or alcohol abuse is both a
cause and result of homelessness
for some.
These individuals are twice as likely
as other homeless people to be
arrested or jailed, mostly for
misdemeanors.
They are often candidates for
diversion programs that enable
them to go from jail to more
appropriate treatment, and housing.
Those who are members of families
often have lost regular contact with
their relatives or are no longer
equipped to be primary caregivers.
Substances of Abuse
 Alcohol is Favorite in all Races
Alcohol Cocaine % Opiates % Stimulants Other %
% %
Race HL Not HL Not HL Not HL Not HL Not
HL HL HL HL HL
White 54 45 11 9 21 16 7 8 7 22

Black 46 32 32 25 16 18 1 1 6 25

Hispanic 50 39 9 11 36 27 1 3 4 20

Native 78 58 5 6 6 7 5 8 6 21

Asian 38 40 11 6 10 8 35 20 6 26

Other 46 45 12 11 25 16 10 5 7 23
Top Unmet needs For The Effective Treatment According
to HCH (Health Care for Homeless) Clinicians Network

 Alcohol & Drug Abuse Treatment

 Emergency Shelter
 Health Care
 Mental Health Treatment
 Transitional Housing
 National health care for Homeless Council
Treatment Characteristics
This is Me, Going Crazy by
Edward Munch
 References

 United States Code

 The National Coalition for the homeless 2005.
 Issue 26 of the dasis report (drug and alcohol service
information system) released in 2006 based on study in
2004.
 National health care For Homeless Council
 Edward Munch