Homelessness and substance misuse: a tale of two cities.
In this article we examine the relationship between alcohol and drug misuse among the literally homeless (those living out of doors and in emergency shelters) in Hartford, Connecticut and Providence, Rhode Island, two northeastern U.S. cities of comparable size. We worked with homeless advocacy organizations in both cities, using a point-in-time census (N = 1058) and random sample (N = 66) in Hartford, and a sampling of clients (N = 82) of six shelters serving residents of Providence (N = 82). We found substance misuse relevant in 47.2% of the homeless in Hartford and in 45.1% of the homeless in Providence. We conclude that there is a great need for substance treatment services inside shelters, soup kitchens, and day centers so that homeless individuals have an opportunity to engage in treatment within their own milieu.
Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. irene_glasser@brown.edu
Irene
I
Glasser
William H
WH
Zywiak
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012237:Rhode Island / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*