A Battle Against Addiction, Not Just Housing
The homeless population in San Diego is growing at an alarming rate. The situation is especially devastating in East Downtown, where we’ve conducted our outreach efforts. But let’s be clear—this crisis isn’t just about homelessness. It’s about addiction. 90% of the individuals we encountered are trapped in a vicious cycle of substance abuse, primarily fentanyl addiction.
We’ve seen young people in their twenties wandering the streets like zombies, completely consumed by the drug. Some are barely recognizable—faces sunken, bodies frail, eyes vacant. They aren’t just homeless. They are enslaved.
When we approached them, offering help, most refused. They weren’t looking for a way out. Their only focus was on securing enough money for the next dose. This addiction has them in chains, dragging them toward destruction.
The City’s Response: Hiding the Problem, Not Solving It
The City of San Diego has responded by expanding housing programs, but they are missing the real issue. Drug addiction is at the core of this crisis. Instead of tackling addiction head-on, the city is simply moving the homeless from the streets into encampments, making the problem less visible but doing nothing to stop the cycle.
Let’s be honest: relocating people into parking lots doesn’t solve addiction. It only hides the issue from the public while fentanyl continues to ravage lives. The real question we need to ask is this:
Who is supplying these drugs? How are they so easily accessible?
Until we address the root cause—both addiction and its supply chain—homelessness will remain an ever-growing crisis in San Diego and across California.
Breaking Down the Root Causes of Drug Addiction
To truly understand the depth of this issue, we conducted a root cause analysis of drug addiction among the homeless population. Here’s what we found:
1. Access & Means to Obtain Drugs (How they get the drug)
- Drug Dealers & Street Networks → Easy access within homeless communities.
- Trading & Bartering → Many exchange food, stolen goods, or even their bodies for drugs.
- Theft & Crime → Some resort to stealing just to afford their next fix.
- Misuse of Government Assistance → Welfare benefits often fund drug purchases.
- Peer Influence & Pressure → Gangs and fellow addicts encourage continued use.
2. Emotional & Psychological Factors (Why they turn to drugs)
- Escaping Trauma & Pain → Many have suffered childhood abuse, domestic violence, or severe trauma.
- Mental Health Disorders → Depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, and anxiety drive self-medication.
- Hopelessness & Despair → A lack of purpose fuels destructive behavior.
- Addiction from Prescribed Medications → Some start with opioids or painkillers and transition to harder drugs.
3. Spiritual & Social Influences (Deeper societal & spiritual factors)
- Loss of Purpose & Identity → Without direction, addiction fills the void.
- Disconnection from Faith & Community → A lack of spiritual support leaves them vulnerable.
- Generational Addiction & Family Influence → Many come from backgrounds where drug use was normalized.
- Cultural Normalization of Drugs → Music, movies, and media often glamorize substance use.
At the core of it all, this is a spiritual battle. The ultimate root cause of this crisis is separation from God—a result of sin, brokenness, and rebellion.
A Call to Action: How We Tackle the Crisis
Our Rise Up Mission Outreach is committed to more than just meeting physical needs. We bring spiritual and emotional support, combined with practical solutions to break the cycle of addiction. But we cannot do this alone. It requires a comprehensive, multi-layered approach:
1. Cut Off the Drug Supply
- Investigate and eliminate distribution networks fueling the crisis.
- Hold suppliers and traffickers accountable.
2. Deploy Immediate Support Teams
- Provide medical and emotional support to those in withdrawal.
- Have trained professionals ready to intervene in crisis situations.
3. Provide Spiritual and Emotional Support
- Create faith-based recovery programs focused on healing.
- Offer mentorship, community, and accountability to rebuild lives.
4. Facilitate the Transition to Rehabilitation
- Assist those ready to take the next step into structured recovery programs.
- Ensure transportation, financial support, and follow-up care.
5. Ensure Ongoing Support During Recovery
- Mentorship and counseling to prevent relapse.
- Long-term integration into faith communities and employment programs.
6. Regulate Drug Flow in Encampments
- Enforce strict security and regular drug testing to prevent drug circulation.
- Hold encampments accountable for ensuring a drug-free environment.
7. Provide Withdrawal Support in Encampments
- Deploy medical teams to assist with withdrawal symptoms.
- Offer alternative treatment options for safe detox and recovery.
It’s Time to Break the Cycle. This crisis is not going away until we address it at its core. More housing won’t fix addiction. More shelters won’t break spiritual bondage. The homeless crisis in San Diego is a drug crisis, a mental health crisis, and ultimately, a spiritual crisis. If we truly want change, we need to fight on all fronts: cutting off the supply, offering real recovery solutions, and bringing people back to God. The time for passive solutions is over. It’s time to break the chains.