Homelessness, drug addiction and the world climate crisis

During Anders' time at Bates College in Maine (he just graduated), he often went to Lewiston, Maine’s downtown skatepark, where he met with several young people. He learned a lot about their lives and struggles, especially those related to homelessness and substance abuse. Many of these individuals shared heartbreaking stories of friends and family lost to overdose or living on the streets. 

Maine’s weather ranges from harsh winters to sweltering summers, which poses challenges for unsheltered homeless people. They endure these weather events without a break. Consequently, the use of drugs offers an escape and a break from bad weather. Then, for some people, homelessness follows or accompanies the use of drugs. Amid these challenges, substance use emerges as a coping mechanism for many homeless people. Studies suggest a strong correlation between homelessness and increased substance use, with environmental stressors such as the extreme weather events caused by the climate change acting as contributors.

These changes pose a direct threat to the homeless

While housing reform is vital, simply providing shelter doesn’t always address the complex challenges faced by people battling addiction and homelessness. A more holistic approach that considers these interconnected issues, including the reality of the climate crisis, is essential for meaningful change.

Climate change is a global disruptor, affecting weather patterns and harming the poor and other vulnerable people. These changes pose a direct threat to the homeless, who lack protection against the harsh elements. In the United States, extreme weather events including hurricanes, heatwaves, flooding, droughts, heavy rainstorms, and wildfires have intensified and will continue to do so.

As our climate increasingly becomes an even more hostile force, the intersection of homelessness and substance abuse increases its impact. The urgency for policies that deal comprehensively with the convergence of these issues is clear. Extreme weather events and rising temperatures threaten  people.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported that nationally in January 2023 there were over 650,000 homeless people, the highest number since this data collection began in 2007. There is a housing crisis in this country. Cities like Los Angeles and New York, which have a substantial portion of America’s homeless, are also hotspots for heatwaves, which certainly endangers this vulnerable population.

One promising approach is the Housing First model, which has been successful.

To address these multifaceted issues, several regions have experimented with new programs. For example, Oregon attempted to decriminalize possession of small amounts of some illicit drugs, which was inspired by Portugal’s decriminalization model, an approach that aimed to redirect resources from incarceration to rehabilitation.

In 2001, Portugal decriminalized the possession of small amounts of all illicit drugs. Individuals caught with up to a 10-day supply are referred to an administrative panel, which makes recommendations for treatment or other responses. At first, the initiative reduced HIV transmission rates and prison populations as well as overall substance abuse; however, after funding was cut in 2012, Portugal has struggled to maintain this unique program.

In the U.S., Oregon attempted to emulate Portugal’s model through Measure 110. Unfortunately, delays in funding and limited social support systems have hindered the policy’s effectiveness.

One promising approach is the Housing First model, which has been successful. This approach combines housing with comprehensive treatment and support services, resulting in high housing retention rates and reduced emergency service use. The effectiveness of Housing First shows that when individuals are not preoccupied with survival, they are in a better place to deal with substance use through treatment programs and to deal more effectively with climate events.

The interconnectedness of homelessness, substance use, and the climate crisis requires legislative responses that are also interconnected. Policies need to transcend traditional boundaries of public health, urban planning, and environmental protection to address the root causes, especially the reality of the climate crisis. By investing in comprehensive strategies that include both preventive and responsive measures, policymakers can better protect and improve the lives of these vulnerable people.

Written by grandfather and grandson.