Urban Parks and Homeless Addicts Coping Strategy or Public Crisis A New Ethnographic Analysis

Introduction:
The rapid urbanization of modern cities has created unintended consequences for vulnerable populations. A new ethnographic study explores the controversial issue of homeless addicts occupying public parks, providing fresh insight into their struggles and society’s response. Visit https://www.addictiontherjournal.com/ for more groundbreaking research in this field.

Understanding the Growing Presence of Homeless Addicts in Public Parks
Public parks, originally designed to offer urban dwellers a space for recreation and wellness, have increasingly become shelters for homeless individuals battling addiction. Contrary to widespread perceptions that label these individuals as violent or criminal, the study reveals a complex interplay of socioeconomic, legal, and psychological factors driving their settlement in these public spaces.

Key Findings from Ethnographic Research

• Over an eight-month field observation in Hong Kong’s Tung Chau Street Park, researchers engaged 27 participants, including park residents, overseers, and homeless addicts.
• Many homeless addicts are refugees or asylum seekers restricted by law from working, leading to extreme financial hardship.
• The public often stigmatizes these individuals, although some park users express empathy, recognizing their plight as an unfortunate coping strategy rather than a willful criminal act.
• Attempts at intervention include volunteers and social workers providing education, job-seeking assistance, and psychological support.

Theoretical Framework: Social Disorganization and Subculture Theories
This research employs social disorganization theory, which suggests that poverty, weak social institutions, and cultural heterogeneity contribute to deviant behaviors. Subculture theory further explains how individuals unable to achieve societal norms may retreat into subcultures involving addiction as a coping mechanism.

The American Psychological Association (APA) emphasizes the importance of addressing systemic factors contributing to addiction, advocating for integrated treatment approaches that consider both mental health and socioeconomic support systems.

Challenges in Policy and Intervention
While some local residents and volunteers have initiated grassroots support programs, they acknowledge the limitations of their efforts. Sustainable solutions require coordinated policies involving government intervention, expanded rehabilitation centers, and broader societal support.

A detailed analysis can be found in our main journal article at https://doi.org/10.29328/journal.jatr.1001018.

Why Simply Evicting Them May Worsen the Problem
The study cautions against forcibly removing these individuals from public parks. Displacement often leads to further marginalization, exacerbating addiction and mental health crises. Instead, comprehensive rehabilitation and supportive housing policies are recommended to address the root causes of homelessness and substance abuse.

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