Pubdate: Mon, 20 Dec 1999 Source: Guardian, The (UK) Copyright: Guardian Media Group 1999 Contact: http://www.guardian.co.uk/ Author: Kevin Flemen JOINED-UP THINKING NEEDED ON THE HOMELESS Your leader (December 15) rightly highlighted the difficulty of working with people who are homeless and use drugs. This is compounded by the failure of the government to fully recognise the scale of the problem. You cite the government's report as estimating the number of rough sleepers with drug problems to be 20%. The true figure is far higher, with studies in London, Manchester and Glasgow putting the figure at between 80% and 90%. This under-reporting of drug use should come as no surprise. Many drug users are barred from provision by agencies who feel they must exclude or risk prosecution. Other drug users do use services, but keep their drug use secret to avoid being excluded. This helps no one: agencies do not get the resources or support they need to do vital work; drug users do not access help they need to tackle their problems; and the public reap the consequences of drug users forced back on to the streets. Surely it is time to look again at the law and develop a sensible, legal framework which helps rather than hinders dedicated professionals working with those most in need. Kevin Flemen Release - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea