Paul O'Reilly SJ

Without wishing to press the analogy too much (the epidemiology of the two diseases is not the same), it is quite possible that substance misuse will do to the next generation of British young people what AIDS has done for the current youth of Africa.

Whatever the future may bring, the present reality is of a large and increasing homeless underclass who are typically multiply addicted to drugs and alcohol; frequently mentally ill (as both cause and consequence of their substance misuse); commonly in and out of prison; are typically socially isolated, with no other family or friends in this country; usually have multiple medical and psychiatric problems and generally could use the services of a doctor.