The opioid crisis and homelessness are two of the most pressing issues facing our society today. In a groundbreaking study by the University of Georgia, researchers have uncovered a direct link between these two critical problems. Their findings, published by Health Affairs, reveal that reducing homelessness by 25% could prevent almost 2,000 deaths from opioid overdoses. This study is the first to suggest a causal relationship between the rise in homelessness and the increase in overdose deaths from drugs and alcohol.
David Bradford, co-author of the study and a professor at UGA’s School of Public and International Affairs, expressed the persistent challenge of addressing homelessness and the opioid crisis. He emphasized, “Our study shows that there is a causal effect. Homelessness is making the opioid crisis worse.” The research also indicates that a 25% reduction in homelessness could save 850 lives from alcohol poisoning and 540 from cocaine overdoses, though some of these lives may overlap due to the nature of addiction.
The study analyzed data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and death certificates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), spanning from 2007 to 2017. The findings were stark: even a 10% decrease in homelessness could save more than 650 lives from opioid overdoses. Felipe Lozano-Rojas, co-author of the study and an assistant professor at the School of Public and International Affairs, noted the significant increase in opioid-related deaths, stating, “That’s a lot of lives.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation, with the end of the eviction moratorium leading to a surge in evictions and a subsequent rise in homelessness. Bradford pointed out, “The increase in homelessness that we’ve seen since COVID-19 is probably a significant factor in the increase in opioid-related deaths we’ve seen since COVID started.” The researchers suggest that addressing homelessness could be a key strategy in combating the opioid epidemic.
The concept of a ‘housing first’ approach is gaining traction, where the focus is on maintaining housing stability before addressing addiction issues. This approach is supported by evidence from other studies, including one by Bradford and Ashley Bradford of Georgia Tech, which found a correlation between higher eviction rates and increased drug and alcohol deaths at the county level.
However, the solution to these crises is not as straightforward as preventing evictions. Landlords have financial needs, and the researchers advocate for pragmatic policy changes that could include preventing evictions through small claims court and prohibiting retaliatory actions by landlords. Bradford urges for policies that are not puritanical or judgmental, but instead, “We need to invest in these people who need help. If you give them a chance, they’ll surprise you, and they’ll do well.”
The study’s implications are clear: by investing in housing security and social safety nets, we can not only reduce homelessness but also save thousands of lives from the devastating effects of drug and alcohol overdoses. It’s a call to action for policymakers and society at large to rethink our approach to these intertwined crises and to recognize the human potential that can flourish with the right support.
Related posts:
Study says reducing homelessness by 25% could save thousands of lives from dying by overdose
Homelessness leads to more drug, alcohol poisoning deaths
How fentanyl and social isolation have worsened youth homelessness crisis in Oregon
