How common is illegal drug use by homeless people?
(NewsNation) — Those who use drugs have an increased risk of becoming homeless, according to a new study by University of California San Francisco researchers.
More than 3,000 homeless Americans were surveyed in the widest representative study since 1996.
According to the study published in the Journal of American Medical Association, 37% of the adults said they regularly indulged in illicit substance abuse at least three times per week within the previous six months.
Methamphetamine was the most common drug utilized. Of those using drugs, 21% said they wanted to, but could not, receive treatment.
One-quarter of the individuals in the study said they had never used drugs at any stage of their lives.
Homelessness in US at record high levels: HUD
Using illicit drugs regularly, or at least three times a week, at one point in their life was reported by approximately 65% of homeless persons who were surveyed between October 2021 and November 2022.
'Our research shows there is an increased risk of becoming homeless if you use drugs; and that homelessness itself increases drug use because people use it as a coping strategy,' Margot Kushel, MD, and senior author of the report said in a news release.
Per a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than 770,000 Americans experienced one night of homelessness on a single night in January 2024. This was an 18% increase from the previous year.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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