The purpose of this research was to identify key life events in young injector’s lives that influenced current life situations, including drug use, homelessness, and involvement in informal street economies. Life event interviews were conducted with 45 young men and women, ages 18-23, who reported being without permanent shelter and active drug injectors. Participants were recruited from street sites and youth-serving agencies in Hollywood, California and surrounding areas. Interviews lasted between two and four hours. All interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed by major themes using qualitative data analysis software. Analysis of life event interviews reveal extensive histories of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, involvement in mental health institutions and repeated interactions with the criminal justice system. Drug use is often identified as the primary problem in young people’s lives - responsible for such things as continued homelessness, engagement in high-risk sex and drug use activities, and other health problems. Analysis of life event data suggests that drug use may better be viewed as a symptom of larger interpersonal, familial and social problems. This paper will identify ways in which the current treatment of homeless drug users perpetuates, rather than ameliorates the health problems of this population and will discuss possible alternatives to current practices.
Learning Objectives: 1. To describe the sequence of life events experienced by young adults that lead to homelessness. 2. To contextualize the drug use of young adults within a broad set of experiences to identify alternative strategies for preventing long-term physical and mental health problems among this population
Keywords: Drug Injectors, Homelessness
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.