Homelessness is the most prevalent issue throughout the world. In the news article “Homelessness and Drug Abuse” the authors discuss a close relationship between homelessness and substance use disorders in Philadelphia. Poverty is one of the root causes of homelessness and about 90% of the homeless are addicted to drugs or are mentally ill (FitzGerald & Saltsman, 2019, p. C5). It becomes tougher to get a job that can uplift from poverty for addicted or mentally disturbed individuals; because unemployment rates were lower, it can be said that people had jobs that were ready to work and might have lower wages, but many were poor because of their inability to work due to addiction, mental illness, physically handicapped, an unmarried mother with a child (FitzGerald & Saltsman, 2019, p. C5). A rise in the minimum wage in an attempt to curtail poverty will heighten the unemployment rate, impacting many families and children (FitzGerald & Saltsman, 2019, p. C5).
Most homeless suffer from drug addiction, mental health problems, or both, therefore drug abuse is a strong predictor of homelessness instead of merely a symptom. The National Institute of Mental Health indicates that physical or mental addiction alters performance and priorities, and interferes with individuals' schooling and socioeconomic status (FitzGerald & Saltsman, 2019, p. C5). Homelessness affects the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of individuals and they are the most vulnerable and underprivileged group of people. Because people can grow, develop new skills, and change during their lives, homeless and drug abused people are at the highest risk for social, cognitive, and behavioral abnormalities. Thus, developmental psychologists must dig deep into these issues to transform the face of drug abuse and homelessness.
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Homelessness and drug abuse are complex and collective social problems. There are many reasons to remedy these socioeconomic dilemmas. Firstly, homelessness has poor consequences at the individual, community, and civilian levels. Isolation often feeds depression and addiction (Feldman & Landry, 2017). Feelings of helplessness, segregation, and depression in the homeless advocate them for anti-social behavior, substance use, and crime (Feldman & Landry, 2017). Homeless people without support for mental and substance use disorders rely notably on social assistance for survival which includes housing, social support, and hospitals; and are more prone to interact with police and emergency medical services (Distasio, 2017). These all cost money and the government has to implement numerous programs to cut back homelessness which puts an extra burden on the government budget and taxpayers. Secondly, drug abuse yields biological and psychological addiction that the body cannot function without drugs and people learn to depend on drugs for everyday pressure (Feldman & Landry, 2017). Their dependence on drugs adds to their inability to work, impoverished mental health, social isolation, and tendency to crime. These factors together influence socioeconomic circumstances and as a result homelessness through their dynamic relationship (Feldman & Landry, 2017). Lastly, child homelessness may have long-term consequences and it affects early childhood development resulting in poor emotional, social, and cognitive health outcomes of a homeless child. Children of unmarried homeless mothers have a higher rate of school dropout; many times these children even cannot access education and daily food due to growing up in poverty (Feldman & Landry, 2017). A stressful environment often predisposes street children and youth to physical and sexual abuse (Feldman & Landry, 2017). Poverty, mental illness, substance use, and single parenthood help create such stressful environments in the homeless community (Feldman & Landry, 2017). Thus, to prevent the adverse effects of homelessness and drug abuse at all levels, it’s vital to address the root causes and mitigate these social problems.
With the grant of 1 million dollars, few initiatives can be taken to transform the lives of homeless and addicted individuals. One investment can be integrating short-term employment training programs in previously running supporting houses for the homeless. These employment training programs should consist of 6-week classes where they will be trained on technical and personal development skills, job search skills, career exploration, and workplace behavior, and a 4-week apprenticeship with a small stipend arranged by employment training agencies (Nelson, Gray, Maurice, & Shaffer, 2012). These types of training programs have shown significant improvements in homelessness and associated issues. In one study evaluating the Moving Ahead Program, 14-week work-skills training in homeless adults found doubled monthly income and wages, and improvements in other major domains such as addiction, legal involvement, and overall health status (Nelson, Gray, Maurice, & Shaffer, 2012). The efficiency of a similar vocational rehabilitation program was also supported by positive conclusions in terms of housing, drug abuse, health, and illegal involvement (Gray, Nelson, Shaffer, Stebbins, & Farina, 2017). Transition living programs with job training for street youth showed a considerable increase in hourly wage, stable housing, increased employment length, and money saved (Rashid, 2004). Although, individuals with mental illness only showed improvements if received mental health treatments during the program (Gray, Nelson, Shaffer, Stebbins, & Farina, 2017).
Due to the high prevalence of co-occurring disorders, another intervention is to provide comprehensive support in terms of substance use treatment and psychiatric or mental health services in formerly running shelters. This extensive approach will result in a recovery of mental
disorders and addiction in homeless people, leading to stability in employment and permanent housing. The statistically significant success of this proposal has been shown in a study where a team of clinicians assisted groups of mentally ill and addicted individuals; after the study, they reported improved health status, increased employment length, and housing (Rosenheck, 2000). Further support for this application comes from a study in which addicted homeless received abstinence-contingent housing revealed a strong positive outcome in employment and housing status (Milby et al., 2010). Implementing an opioid treatment program in family housing provided a notable decrease in overdose, illegal drug use, and the ability to be employed (Chatterjee et al., 2017).
Homeless and drug abuse are associated with many co-morbidities. Addressing the root causes of homelessness and drug abuse with employment training, and addiction and mental disorder treatment in initial shelters promises the best positive outcome to end homelessness cost-effectively.
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