Drugs

There are strong links between substance misuse and homelessness. Drug users are seven times more likely to be homeless than the general population, and research suggests that two thirds of individuals report increasing problems with substance misuse after becoming homeless. Homeless people using drugs may face a range of problems in accessing appropriate support to address their substance misuse. This section summarises some of the issues around homelessness and drug use, and contains links to useful resources, news and websites.

ISSUES

Homeless Link’s Survey of Needs and Provision (SNAP) 2010 found that drug issues were among the issues most frequently affecting the users of homelessness services. SNAP 2010 found that 92% of homelessness services are working with people who are experiencing problems with drugs and that  since 2008 avaliability of harm minimisation services and residential rehabilitation had increased by 9%. However even with this increase in the avaliability of drug services there are still significant problems concerning access, with 47% of homeless agencies for whom drug services were avaliable reporting problems.

Homeless Link has recently published a response to the Government's 2010 Drug Strategy consultation. It highlights some of our key recommendations to improve policy and practice in this area, including:

• the need for a holistic focus making best use of cross sector working with a particular focus on joint working between drug services and accommodation providers
• the importance of a 'no wrong door' approach that ensures which ever organisation an individual approaches it is appropriately equipped to respond to their needs
• the need to adopt a broad definitin of 'recovery' that acknowledges the essential health benefits of harm reduction.

CONTEXT

In 2010, the government published a new drugs strategy, 'Reducing Demand, Restricting Supply, Building Recovery: Supporting People to Live a Drug Free Life' including a focus on abstinence based recovery from drug addiction but also focusing on 'severe alcohol dependence'.

The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) is the special health authority within the NHS that co-ordinates drug treatment services across England however, the 2010 Drug Strategy confirms that the NTA will cease to exist as a seperate organisation and by 2013 its key functions will have transfered to a new governmental organisation, 'Public Health England'.

SOLUTIONS

Appropriate accommodation for drug users: This is a fundamental starting point from which an individual can address their drug needs. Homeless Link’s Clean Break Toolkit has been developed to assist commissioners and service providers create more integrated housing and care pathways for drug users engaging in treatment services.

Addressing Dual Diagnosis: Individuals with drug needs frequently have another need such as one relating to poor mental health and are routinely excluded from effective contact with the services they need. Homeless Link, along with Drugscope, is a member of the Making Every Adult Matter coalition who call for change in policy to better respond to individuals with multiple needs.

Managing drug use in provision: To understand the legal aspects and responsibilities of drug policy and management in hostels. Homeless Link’s Hostels Handbook  provides a range of resources and guidance for agencies working with drug users.

FURTHER INFORMATION

General information about drugs and homelessness

• Drugscope is the national membership agency for the drugs field. The Drugscope website has a range of resources and reports relating to this issue.
• Homeless Pages website lists resources on drugs and alcohol.
• Homeless Link’s SNAP 2010 report includes statistical information related to drugs and alcohol including the proportion of clients with substance misuse problems in projects surveyed, and the availability of substance misuse services by referral or in-house by type of project.
• Addaction provide information resources on drugs for families and young people.
• The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 is the original legislation which has been updated on a number of occasions.

Good practice guidance

• The Home Office produced a good practice guide on Drugs Use and Begging in 2004, aimed at those who commission services for people with drug problems who beg and those working with them.
• The drugs and housing website, a KFx project, provides a useful resource for housing and drugs workers.
• Release is the original legal advice service advising on drugs issues. They provide a telephone helpline and publications about drugs.
• Turning Point has also published a Dual Diagnosis Good Practice Handbook and, with Rethink, a Dual Diagnosis Toolkit.