Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in Travis County, Texas. According to a survey, around 14% of people aged 12 and above in Central Texas have reported using it in the past year. Organizations like Community Care have served more than 650 people in the area, with the main diagnoses being drug use disorders, mental health disorders, skin conditions, and hypertension. The term “homeless” refers to individuals who sleep on the street, in emergency shelters, or who have recently been discharged from an institution. Homeless people are resourceful and often find ways to survive.
In most cases, a person is homeless for only one or two days and will leave the shelter within 30 days and not return. It is often assumed that most homeless people have mental illnesses. However, according to Strategy Director Ellen Richards, the agency uses money from city, state and county grants to provide treatment and housing for homeless people with mental illness, drug addiction, or both. In June, the Austin Police Department launched an initiative called Homeless Outreach Street Team to reach out to people who use drugs on the street and are unlikely to seek help. Mental illness can protect a person from becoming homeless because people with chronic psychiatric disorders are eligible to receive federal income from disability, Medicaid, and housing services. At a public meeting on Wednesday, medical professionals from Dell Medical Center and Community Care spoke about what some organizations are doing to provide health care to an increasing number of homeless people in Austin. Front Steps is an Austin-based organization that advocates for ending homelessness and divides the population they serve between those who are literally homeless and those who are not. A study published in the presentation found that the number of homeless people in Travis County with substance abuse problems doubled last year.
Integral Care of Travis County is the leading provider of substance abuse treatment for the homeless in Austin. Organizations like Community Care are working hard to provide treatment and housing for homeless individuals with substance abuse issues. The Austin Police Department has also launched initiatives like Homeless Outreach Street Team to reach out to those who are unlikely to seek help. Mental illness can also protect a person from becoming homeless as they are eligible for federal income from disability, Medicaid, and housing services.
