Housing and heroin use: The role of floating support

Gray, P ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1546-9333 and Fraser, P (2005) Housing and heroin use: The role of floating support. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 12 (4). pp. 269-278. ISSN 0968-7637

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Abstract

This article is based upon interviews with heroin users and explores the interaction between housing circumstance and heroin use. It looks primarily at the role that floating support schemes can play in helping heroin users to acquire stable housing, and more importantly, to keep it. This stability then provides an opportunity for those heroin users who want to address their drug problems to do so. In addition to focusing on floating support, this article also looks at: the impact of being homeless on heroin use; whether housing circumstance affects the ability to reduce dependence on heroin; and the issues heroin users face in accessing stable housing. The discussion section highlights a number of key areas that need to be addressed if the housing requirements of heroin users are to be met. These include: increased information about housing options; increased availability of preventive packages of support for those who have not entered the criminal justice system; and increased partnership working between different housing support schemes and housing providers. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Group Ltd.