A program in Los Angeles County aims to get people suffering from drug addiction off the streets by providing them with various types of support.
We were able to speak with some of the participants. Here are their testimonies.
Moisés Gómez battled a methamphetamine addiction for three years.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines it as a powerful and highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
“I liked them and abused them, I had many bad experiences,” says Moisés, a former addict.
It’s something that left Moisés homeless. But now he’s off drugs and participates in the Contingency Management Program for housing retention.
It is an initiative of Los Angeles County that offers small rewards through gift cards for clean drug tests and good behavior.
The participants live in permanent apartments that the city provides to homeless people.
“I am disabled and the truth is that everything around here is very expensive, and yes, this program helps us with food and personal items,” Moisés acknowledged.
Participants can stay in the program for 12 or 24 months, where they collaborate with staff to establish individualized behavioral goals.
The workers visit them twice a week to check on their progress.
“The time we give is simply time for them to talk to them, to see what situation they feel, not only the problem they are saying they have, but the problem they feel, how we can help them, and in that we bring gift cards for food or hygiene products they need, shampoo, things like that,” says Jennifer Barba, contingency management administrator.
Moisés Gómez says that if it weren’t for the program or the assistance from Los Angeles County, he would still be on the street.
“I thank God for putting them in my path at a time when I needed them, and I thank them because they partnered with me and gave me very good advice,” Moisés added.
In addition to incentives, the program provides comprehensive support that includes assistance with access to medications and referrals to support services.
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Annie Mapp, Spectrum Noticias