Crack Cocaine and Homelessness

Paper Summary:

The paper describes the incidence of crack cocaine addiction and its relation to mental illness and homelessness. The paper researches the treatment approaches in central Canada and compares them to the more varied, successful treatments and therapies in the United Kingdom and Europe. The paper notes Canada's resigned attitude towards a form of addiction that is considered 'untreatable' or 'hopeless'. The paper reveals the need for Canada to actively encourage crack addicts to attempt recovery, to learn more about different approaches to treatment and finally, adapt them to the Toronto environment.

Outline:
Introduction
Not Just Addiction
A Second Intervention
Towards a Different Approach
Concluding Discussion

From the Paper:

"An important dimension of the problem is the coincidence of crack addiction and mental illness. Crack addicts often present symptoms of the mood disorders and psychosis in addition to those of the personality disorders found in almost 25 per cent. (Falck Et Al: 2004:504) In homeless patients, it can be difficult to determine a primary problem of mental illness or addiction. Many vagrant schizophrenics, for example, become addicted to crack just as crack cocaine induces symptoms of paranoid psychosis in persons without histories of mental illness. Through it all, homelessness remains a key determinant of addicts' health. (Fischer Et Al: 2005:252) Awareness of crack cocaine addiction in homeless populations enhances insight into why many homeless persons remain as they are, failing to take up occasional opportunities for housing."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Allen, C. (2005). The Links between heroin, crack cocaine and crime - where does street crime fit in? British Journal of Criminology, 45, 355-372.
• Ball, C. (2006). Cardiovascular effects of cocaine - a patient with HIV infection and a bad habit. AIDS Care, 16, 720-727.
• Bordnick, P., Elkins, R. Et Al. (2004). Evaluating the relative effectiveness of three aversion therapies designed to reduce craving among crack cocaine abusers. Behavioral Interventions, 19, 1-24.
• CCSA. (2006). Crack Cocaine Fact Sheet. Ottawa: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.
• Commander, C.M. and M.J. Odell. (2000). Risk Factors for Homelessness among People with Psychiatric Disorders. Social Psychiatry and Epidemiology, 35, 396-401.

More papers on Crack Cocaine and Homelessness:

• Research Paper # 129672 : "Crack Cocaine and Homelessness in Toronto"
• Analytical Essay # 32666 : "Crack Cocaine: A Crying Shame in the Black Community"
• Essay # 49925 : "Crack Cocaine"

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