I helped a middle-class family member get off legally-prescribed opioids, and it took over a year of tapering and misery. If you stop cold turkey (or even just taper too fast), it can become dangerous. All that to say: I the drug problem is a separate but related epidemic that thrives on vulnerable populations. Even if you’re temporarily vulnerable, it just takes a few bad decisions to land someone into an addictive cycle that can last a lifetime. Once someone decides they want off hard drugs, it takes an enormous amount of willpower and support. Even years after getting off something like opioids, the cravings can linger.

I honestly think the drug problem is more powerful and detrimental than homelessness itself. The drug trade definitely feeds on homelessness, but it would likely still find a vulnerable population if homeless people were eliminated.