Drugs and youth homelessness: reducing the risk

The increase in youth homelessness in the UK and also internationally, alth ough a cause for public concern, is proving resistant to efforts to contain it. Perhaps all association with drug misuse is one of the most serious so cial consequences of this trend, threatening the health of many young peopl e with long-lasting effects. The family history and the current privations of the lives of 200 young, homeless drug users in Greater Manchester were s tudied ii? depth. The primary nim was to reveal the nature and range of cop ing responses to the hazards they faced. A major way of coping was through self-medication with drugs. The young and newly homeless, if not using drug s already, were likely to be absorbed into a drug-oriented community. If th ey were, like many young people, using drugs recreationally, then their inv olvement was likely to increase. Older, long-term users were using more dru gs and using them more frequently. Possible interventions ale discussed tha t recognize the heterogeneity of the homeless population and the complexity of their needs, taking into account personal history and current levels of support.