>>it seems apparent that getting into "down on your luck" homeless state is the first step into being part of the drug-addicted, mentally unstable homeless popu

>>it seems apparent that getting into "down on your luck" homeless state is the first step into being part of the drug-addicted, mentally unstable homeless population. I think it's the opposite. Many drug addicts start off housed, either with family or on their own. As their addiction takes over their lives they lose their job and burn bridges with their family and eventually end up on the street. I've seen examples of families of addicts are loving and would house them in a minute if it wasn't for their addition and toxic behavior.