Homeless research Essay

1.0 HYPOTHESISThe aim of this search is to define whether or not medicine and or alcoholic drinkic beverage ab purpose are contri scarcelying detailors to worthy dispossessed person. It is not easy to establish a cor congeneric surrounded by addiction, unsettledness and bosom nuisance however this research aims to fructify the answer through the collection ofboth soft and quantitative selective in skeletal frameation in the form of a head wordnaire.2.0 Introduction2.1 This research intends to refer whether in that respect is a correlation between homelessness and do drugss/alcohol abuse? In England homelessness has been accepted as a social norm, although ethically this should not be the case. In 2002 legislation such as The Homelessness Act was brought in for local government activity to prohibit homelessness. My pursual in the topic arose after attending a programme with Tenant s affirm rid of a voluntary organisation, regarding an early intervention of alc ohol abuse, which aimed to pr all the very(prenominal)t race becoming homeless paycap fitting to addictions, the question arose, does agency abuse contribute to becoming homeless, and what end be done to help prevent this? In addition to this whoremonger becoming homeless create an addiction or alcohol/drug dependency? 3.0 Homelessness3.1 What is homelessness?Homelessness is viewed as individuals/families finding themselves in a situation where they exact no secure trying on to live in. According to Amore et al How homelessness should be defined is a fundamental and persistent paradox(20112).3.2 to a lower hindquarters the 1996 Housing Act a person or persons are defined homeless if There is no accommodation that they are entitled to occupyThey have accommodation but it is not cerebra tea leaftimeble for them to prolong to occupy this accommodation They have accommodation but cannot secure entry to itThey have accommodation but it consists of a moveable structure, vehi cle or vessel designed or adapted for human family and thither is no place where they are entitled or permitted both to place it and to reside in it. every one meeting this definition and who has successfully applied to their local authority to be categorize as such is officially recognised as being homeless. Firth, (2010, 3)3.3 The effects of homelessnessThe effects of homelessness can oftentimes include or lead to loss ofself-esteem, discrimination, vulnerability, substance abuse, criminal activities, self neglect, sexual and psychical abuse. For example, some homeless women act strangely and neglect personal hygiene as a fashion to protect themselves from attack. Mevery homeless the great unwashed are discriminated against collect to the fact that some people just look d confess at them and presume that there in that situation due to there own doing.4.0 Substance abuse.4.1 What is substance abuse?The term substance abuse means the use of any substance such as drug or alcohol , to a degree that is deemed hazardous. According to Firth (20081) Some drugs, such as morphine, have medical purposes. If they are used for other agents, or in unnecessarily broad quantities, then the term drug abuse is applied. 4.2 The effects of drug abuseThe effects simply can be devastating so in conjunction with homelessness can declaration in the devastation of lives. Some of the effects of drug abuse are loss of job, social exclusion, increased criminal activity, family sort outdowns, psychical and psychological effects. One example of social exclusion is that people tent to alienate others that used drugs due to the prejudice and stigma attached to them. People often over see the underlining contributing factors that first exercised the drug abuse in the first place.4.3 Possible prevention strategiesEarly intervention could be brought in at the very start of substance abuse i.e. an employee turns up for work on a number of cause under the influence of alcohol or dru gs and inevitably gets fired as a direct result of turning up for work under the influence, the employee does not see the employer again as in his thought he has ful takeed his role. It is at this focus a vital chance for early intervention has been missed. If the employer had perchance signposted the employee to the correct services for some help and support with the high risk drinking, then this issue may have been recognised and steps could have be taken to help and perhaps prevent tho misuse.5.0 key debates5.1 Despite attempts from the establishment and local authorities, Homelessness remains a significant issue. From the homeless people interviewed for the firsthand research (see appendix three), a large percentage of them have the view that the Government does not do enough to help them. The department for Communities and local Government suggest the most effective way of preventing a large rise in the numbers of repossessions is to address the public deficit and make s ure that interest rates remain low funding for debt advice services therefore reducing the possible numbers of strength homeless.5.1 Many of the questionnaire role players have no Intention of stopping the re-occurring drug/alcohol abuse or even have self realisation that there is a problem. The Government should perhaps put in place procreational talks seminars in schools to do with drug/alcohols and the dangers of misusing them and what to do if an individual finds them self in a position of homelessness so they have some experience of what to do or where to go for help, guidance or assistance.5.2 Perhaps the Government should review the content taught in schools today, According to Chabot 2012 The flowing structure works for hemorrhoid of students, who have lots of structure and high expectations at home. But society and families are not the same as 30 years ago. The school hasnt changed we need to adapt. On the contrary is the role of education to socially engineer children ? Graph A5.3 Results of the distributed questionnaires suckly show that the main cause of homelessness is a break down in family relationship. According to Firth (2010 40) The breakdown of family relationships has been identified as the main cause of homelessness Additionally,5.4 Graph B shows the results from the question since becoming homeless have you used alcohol/drugs? Clearly the results show that from the sample of the homeless community that filled out my questionnaires, at one time an individual finds them self in the position of being homeless then the use ofdrugs/alcohol develops. Some people may view drug and alcohol use as necessary to be accepted among the homeless community (Didenko and Pankratz, 2007). Graph BAnalysisThe valuation of my research has proved my hypothesis wrong, homelessness is not always primarily caused by drug/alcohol link abuse, my findings show that a breakdown in the family is a major contributing factor to homelessness. Furthermore once an individual finds themselves homeless a drug/alcohol issue arises for sundry(a) reason such as to numb the pain, to forget, boredom and because they generally enjoy the use of substances. 6.0 Methodology6.1 Initially I read close to the topic using secondary sources (see literature review) but to secure a deeper understanding and obtain my own results I undertook a primary piece of research. I created a questionnaire which had a mix of open and closed(a) questions, which I submitted 20 throughout the homeless community that attend YMCA Project in Warrington town centre. The reason for choosing the YMCA to submit my questionnaire was the fact that the YMCA run a night shelter for the homeless in Warrington, and provided other various services that work closely with the homeless community. 6.2 later undertaking some research active the YMCA and talking to staff members it seemed the most effective way for the homeless to participate in the research was to be there in person offeri ng a free cup of tea deep brown to entrusting participants.The results will be analysed and put in to a table so a clear distinction of these results can be seen. I will then try to draw some comparisons to the secondary source data and information obtained from Firth (2010). 6.3 The aim of the questionnaire was to try and identify what help is already accessible for the homeless or substance misusers, what is readily available, and is it equally and easily accessible to everyone who needs it, should they want such services. . 6.4 The questionnaires created consisted of fourteen questions. The first question was to establish the age concourse the participant comes under. The next five questions are regarding homelessness and the details surrounding becoming homeless. There are two questions regarding the use/misuse of drugs and alcohol. The surveiling fourquestions are in relation to services regarding drug/alcohol and homelessness. Finally the last three questions ask whether t he participant deals Do the Government do enough to help prevent homelessness?, What changes would you like to see for the homeless? and any other comments?. I chose not to administer my questionnaire directly as this would have a direct response on the answers the participant would give. I handed out the questionnaire and asked the participant to fill them in on their own thus ensuring that they could take their time and it would be more objective and the result more valid.However, because I was in the vicinity and had provided tea this may be considered as pressure and could have had an impact on the type of response they gave. After analysing all 20 completed questionnaires, I found that the main reason for the cause of homelessness was in fact due to a family breakdown. I compiled all the findings from question 3 what are the reasons for becoming homeless and the results are shown in table A below. 6.5 The conclusion that was obtained from the questionnaire results, is that man y homeless people believe the Government do not do enough to help them, but my figures show that a large percentage have been or are currently in the process of being re homed, which suggests that the Government is doing more than is sensed by the homeless community. This is not necessarily tackling the underling issues that caused the homelessness in the first place. So should the Government be contributing towards the underlining issues that primarily make that person homeless? This could include delivering a service to the homeless community, which identifies the problems and gives the knowledge to empower them to make informed decisions about substance use, in an attempt to eradicate the problem earlier it becomes one.7.0 Reflective AccountsAs a result of talking to the homeless participants I came to the conclusion that most of them were very uncomfortable filling out the questionnaires and only continued to do so for the free cup of tea/coffee that was provided, this could p ossibly make my research results subjective as they could have been giving me the answers that they thought I wanted. While this led to the statistics that was needed for the research, I over looked what the homeless community actually needed, this was for someone to get to know themand sit down casually and listen to what they had to say and what they need and want in the form of support, while applying that the homeless need accommodation they in like manner have individual needs too.6.0 BibliographyAmore, K et a, 2011, The ETHOS commentary and Classification of Homelessness An Analysis, Online, Volume 5.2, article 1, 19, Available http//eohw.horus.be/files/freshstart/European%20Journal%20of%20Homelessness/Volume%20Five/Volume%205.2/article-1.pdf , Access date 03/04/12Communities and local Government, Homelessness and rough sleeping, 2011, Online, Available http//www.communities.gov.uk/housing/homelessness/ , Accessed 30/03/12Firth, L. (2008), Drugs in the UK, volume 163, Cambri dge, Great Briton, independence, MWL print group Ltd. Firth, L. (2010,3), The Homeless Population, volume 189 Cambridge, Great Briton, independence MWL print group Ltd. Johnson KD et al, 2011, Substance Abuse Disorders among Homeless and walkaway Adolescent, Online Available http//ht.ly/4KWan , Accessed 30/03/12Published by the National Coalition for the Homeless, Substance Abuse and Homelessness, 2009, Online, Available http//www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/addiction.pdf , Accessed30/03/12The wellness of the Homeless, 2012, Online, Available http//www.libraryindex.com/pages/2321/Health-Homeless-MENTAL-HEALTH-HOMELESS-PEOPLE.html , Accessed 30/03/12Washuk B, 2012, Lewiston Auburn, More programs, new teaching methods, requested for Lewiston Middle School, Online 1page long, Available http//m.sunjournal.com/ intelligence agency/city/2012/03/13/more-programs-new-teaching-methods-requested-lewis/1167599 , Access date 03/04/12Age (please circle) 16 or under 21 -25 26-3030-4040+Did y ou become homeless in Warrington?How long have you been homeless?What are the reasons for becoming homeless? (was the reason for becoming homeless alcohol/ drugs related?)Since becoming homeless have you used alcohol /drugs?How often do you use drugs/alcohol (please circle)DailyweeklymonthlyoccasionallyneverDo you want to be re-homed?What services do you know about in Warrington that assist people that are homeless?Do you know of any services in Warrington for alcohol/drug abuse?Do you want to access services for alcohol/drug abuse?Is there any other services/ organisation that you would like help to access for anything else?Do you think the Government do enough in Warrington to help prevent homelessness?What changes would you like to see for the homeless?Any other comments?Research deviceBy Claire SmithIntended proposalThis research proposal intends to discover whether drugs and or alcohol contribute to homelessness, is it homelessness that exacerbates the problem of drug and alco hol abuse? , Reason for intended proposalThe reason behind this proposal is the high need for early intervention regarding drug and alcohol abuse. soon not all professionals advise or signpost when necessary regarding this current matter. solitary(prenominal) 18months ago in the UK professionals began training in Alcohol Identification and Advice so that early intervention could be established to prevent medium risk individuals becoming high risk or alcohol dependants. The problem of homelessness is an important issue especially if the common cause is drug / alcohol abuse. If my research can establish whether drug/alcohol abuse is the causes leading to homelessness then professionals could aim to put in place strategies to lap substance abuse, and then latter will become less of an issue. So in tackling alcohol and substance misuse Briton could be facing a population with less homeless. Research methodologyI am going to create a questionnaire which I am going to submit to the YMC A for the homeless to fill out. After doing some research about the YMCA and talking to staff members it seems the most effective way for the homeless to participate is to be their in person offering a free cup of tea coffee to willing participants. I am going to put my finding into a table and present them to NSH Warrington Health Improvement Project Public Health. The questionnaires that are being drafted will try to determine what homeless people what in the way of tools to empower them to help themselves out of their situation. The questionnaires will try to identify what help is already assessable for the homeless or substance misusers, is it readily available, is it equally and easily accessible to everyone who need it? This research proposal is aiming to identify whether homeless people try to access services provided to help substance and alcohol abuse and if so was it successful, of if the services are well publicised and easily accessible for the homeless. The research als o intends to find out if there are organisations that are not well publicised to professionals that would beable to sign post potential people at risk.Literature reviewThe Homeless Population by Lisa Firth (2010, may).Reading about and around the subject of homelessness in The Homeless Population by Lisa Firth, it becomes very clear to me that homelessness is a complex subject and does in fact have many different elements to what may cause it. Lisa Firth goes into depth about the different types of homelessness and the different possible reasons without going around the houses so to say. I was able to learn a lot in a short space of time such as hidden homeless and reasons for becoming homeless. Within the contents of this book are the many frequently asked questions such as surely theres no harm in giving a fewer pence to the homeless Firth (2012). These questions have both sides of the argument with facts and figures which for me personally answered everything that I wanted to kn ow about the homeless community.The ETHOS Definition and Classification of Homelessness An Analysis by Kate Amore, Michael Baker and Philippa Howden-Chapman (2011) Upon discovering this pdf about the homeless population, it seems that this pdf was made with the intention of discovering a global definition for homelessness. This pdf suggests that certain criteria for being homeless that is applied in one place that would determine an individual homeless, does not necessarily apply to everyone globally. The ETHOS definition of homeless tries to establish what constitutes homelessness. As it is there was a great amount of information in this particular pdf however it was not easy to follow and seemed to geminate itself. It was not clear or concise. Skimming this information seemed to be the best way to get to the point of the basis of the pdf. The Health of the Homeless (2012)The Health of the Homeless is a very clear easy to follow online document which has lots of statistics on and are homelessness. This piece of short writing starts from 1960s and comes up to current date although it wasnt necessarily about the exact topic that the report was based on it was fire to read. It also ties in with the point that homeless people have a voice too and they should be included in the care package provided for homeless. It was very well presented and to the point.