Opinion: To end homelessness, we must invest in harm reduction

A homeless tent near a freeway in San Diego Photo by Chris Stone Times of San Diego Homelessness and substance use disorder often occur simultaneously but a large number of people struggling with both are unable to get the help they need That puts homeless function providers on the front lines of the battle for reversing overdoses while also trying to end homelessness one life at a time As the CEO of Father Joe s Villages I ve seen first-hand how helping someone overcome substance use can lead directly to helping them overcome homelessness Ending homelessness is a long process It isn t all about lifting someone off the streets and finding them a job and a place to call home There s a spectrum of measures and successes along the way to help someone build confidence and independence so they can make long-term positive lifestyle changes Overcoming substance use is one of those moves We have a number of strategies to approach substance use that have offered positive results The first is the overarching principle of harm reduction which we use because it saves lives Multiple of our outreach teams including health street strength teams carry Narcan or other life-saving treatments We also have Narcan vending machines that allow people experiencing homelessness to easily and freely get the life-saving medicine they need to help themselves or others Unfortunately several shelters are also inadequately prepared to address the requirements of people experiencing both substance use challenges and homelessness That s why we need more detoxification facilities that are targeted toward this population with overlapping requirements From there the actual healing and help can begin We have a scheme called Transformative Recovery Services which allows people facing substance use challenges to find the aid they need through outpatient group therapy Along with assistance groups and harm reduction techniques people facing both substance use and homelessness need wraparound services to exit their situation for good These services include programs aimed at helping people find employment or educational opportunities Specially tailored childcare options can help free up specific time and strength for unhoused families to find work and a stable place to live The construction of affordable housing especially housing tailored toward people who have experienced homelessness also plays a major role given the astronomical cost of living in San Diego and much of the country While this is a more complicated and longer-term commitment it s really the only way to end homelessness for good People of all walks of life can play a big role in preventing and ending homelessness It s time for us to destigmatize substance use disorder so that those experiencing it can get the help they need Harm reduction and adequate curative care are a strong buffer against the endless cycles of criminalization into which numerous people in need fall It s crucial to know that every citizen can purchase and carry Narcan and receive training in its proper use By doing so you can give someone a second chance at life and at exiting homelessness Make no mistake homelessness is a problem Late last year the number of people in this country experiencing homelessness hit an all time high And a survey unveiled that of all adults experiencing homelessness had long-term substance use pointing to the strong connection between the two issues But people experiencing homelessness aren t numbers on a graph they re human beings with stories Investing in funding for critical services makes a direct impact in their lives and in the area at large Most of importantly we must center any approach to ending homelessness in compassion For too long we ve approached people struggling with averted eyes It s time that we realize that these are our brothers and sisters fathers mothers children and grandparents We can solve the homelessness problem but only if we do so together I hope you ll join us in this mission Deacon Jim Vargas is president and CEO of Father Joe s Villages the largest homeless services provider in Southern California This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords org