The study finds that 37% of California homeless are regular drug addicts

A new study reveals that although less than half of non-lottical people in California are regular drug addicts, which questions public perceptions on the extent to which dependence feeds homelessness.

Only approximately 37% of the more than 3,200 homeless people interviewed in the study led by the UC of San Francisco have said that they had used drugs at least three times a week in the previous six months. About 25% said they’ve never taken medication before.

However, the state-of-scale survey also found that almost two thirds of respondents have regularly declared to use drugs at a given time in their lives, testify that drugs of drugs and homeless are still clearly linked.

About four in 10 respondents said they started consuming drugs before becoming homeless, while 23% said they had started only after losing their accommodation.

“Our research shows that there is an increased risk of becoming homeless if you use drugs; And that homelessness itself increases drug use because people use it as an adaptation strategy, “said the study author, Dr. Margot Kushel, in a press release.

The conclusions were not a surprise for Vivian Wan, Director General of Adoode Services, one of the largest service providers of the Bay region. She said that even if the homeless consuming drugs in the camps and in the streets of the city are the most visible for the public, there is even more awakening in their cars each morning before going to work or going unnoticed on their laptops in Starbucks.

“When you really see someone on a sidewalk or in a Bart station which can actively consume drugs, which remains in the minds of people,” said Wan. “In large part, the homeless are invisible.”

The researchers who conducted the survey, took more than 12 months in 2021 and 2022, noted that respondents may have underestimated their drug use. To obtain as honest as possible answers, the researchers worked with community awareness teams to strengthen confidence and administer the survey anonymously.

Last year, the population of the homeless of California increased by 3% to more than 187,000, while homelessness in the bay region increased by 6% to around 38,891 people. In the Bay and State region, about two-thirds of the homeless live in camps, vehicles or other places not intended for housing, while the rest remains in shelters or transition housing.

Experts agree that homelessness will persist through the state until California can alleviate its amazing housing shortage at an affordable price. Wan said that a stable house is particularly important for people suffering from dependence so that they can focus on recovery rather than worrying about their safety or to find their next meal.

“The crisis of living outside, it is difficult to focus on something other than survival,” she said.

The study revealed that only 7% of respondents were in treatment at the time of the survey. About 21% said they wanted medication but could not find it.

Throughout the state, communities are now accelerating in new reforms grow Access to treatment or oblige people to rehabilitation programs. Last March, California voters narrowly approved a bond measure of $ 6.4 billion estimated to add 10,000 behavioral health beds and supported support housing in the coming years.