From Catholic School Kid To Panhandling Homeless Person

The Daily News wrote a story on Sunday about a 20-year-old homeless man who ended up on the streets within a span of one year. He “went from being a student at a Catholic high school with caring parents and a promising future to being a transient, panhandling for money.” Click here to read article.

You could probably guess what the root cause of his downfall was—drugs. Specifically, methamphetamines.

Like the prodigal son, he lived a life on the streets that not even our pets would be comfortable with. He finally made it to the Tarzana Treatment Center, a drug rehabilitation center, where he is working on returning to the life he once had.

Nearly 40% of the people struggling with homelessness in Los Angeles County also struggle with substance abuse addictions. This is a significant cause of homelessness. If we can help people deal with their drug addictions, the number of people who end up homeless can be reduced significantly.