HOMELESS YOUTHS REPORT DRUG ABUSE, 'SURVIVAL SEX'

Monday, August 13, 2001 - Drug and alcohol abuse among Denver street youth
is rampant, and more than one out of 10 who took part in a survey had
engaged in "survival sex," exchanging their bodies for money, food, shelter
and drugs.

Conducted by the staff of Urban Peak, a shelter for homeless and runaway
youths, and by Addiction Research & Treatment Services, a program of the
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, the survey took place from 8
a.m. to midnight March 15.

Close to 200 street-dependent youths were surveyed throughout Denver;
three-quarters were between 16 and 25.

"We got some real interesting data that we never had before," said Jamie
Van Leeuwen, program director at Urban Peak.

This is the first time researchers had an idea of the prevalence of
survival sex, reported by 11 percent of those surveyed, Van Leeuwen said.
"And keep in mind that when you're doing a survey like this, kids tend to
underreport.

"We definitely have a drug-and-alcohol problem among homeless and runaway
youth," he said.

The survey speaks to a growing need in Denver for more treatment options,
beds and housing, Van Leeuwen said. "The streets are no place for recovery."

Addiction program psychiatrist Christian Hopfer, who treats young heroin
addicts, said the survey was done after staff members reported seeing more
hard-core drug use.

The pattern they found is worrisome, Hopfer said: "Poly-drug use including
a lot of hard and very addictive drugs."

Urban Peak, which has 40 beds, does a good job, Hopfer said, but it is not
a treatment facility.

City Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth hopes to see a plan for treatment and
transitional housing in the 2002 budget. "I'm concerned because part of my
district is downtown," she said.

(SIDEBAR)

Survey results

42 percent of homeless youths report using marijuana daily.

8 percent drink alcohol daily.

4 percent use heroin or other opiates daily; 13 percent of needle users had
shared.

17 percent use Ecstasy one to three times a month.

11 percent use ketamine, an animal tranquilizer, one to three times a month.