Drug use is 'main reason for homelessness'

Drug use is one of the main reasons why homeless people continue to live on the streets, according to a study commissioned by the Government's National Advisory Committee on Drugs.

The NACD said the study found that while drug use was not the primary reason why people became homeless, it was the main reason why they remained on the streets.

The committee said more than half of the current homeless population was using drugs, with almost one-fifth using them intravenously.

It also said one-third of homeless people had been diagnosed with a psychiatric illness and more than half had been in prison at some stage.