This manual is written for staff and volunteers who work with homeless people on a daily basis in shelters, soup kitchens, food programs, health clinics, and emergency service programs. It provides some basic information about homeless people with alcohol and other drug problems in order to promote a better understanding of the total service needs of these individuals. Chapter 1 provides a detailed description of problem drinking and drug use among homeless people. Chapter 2 deals with the shelter environment. Chapter 3 focuses on the special needs of certain types of homeless people (single women, families, youth, and individuals who have a mental illness). Chapter 4 includes a series of case studies of typical situations that might be encountered by shelter workers. Chapter 5 discusses the need for establishing working relationships with organizations that are involved in the treatment and recovery of individuals with alcohol and other drug problems. A list of national resource organizations is appended (authors).
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