My father always spoke of better opportunities and a safer environment when we were in Peru waiting to come to the US. When we finally arrived here, my parents’ budget got us away from Paterson, although it was still visible to us how it bled into Haledon.
I used to think that his paranoia about it was unjustified, until one day after getting off my ESL class late at night, a lady grabbed me firmly by the shirt after I wanted to give her phone back as she had dropped it. She seemed really disoriented—probably due to the influence of narcotics—and told me to help her while she was grabbing me. I was unsettled by it and tried to back off. As she left without taking her phone, I dropped it at the police station on Broadway and Church Street—which was across the street. Since that day I’ve avoided walking through Broadway.
Drug addiction and homelessness go hand to hand, at least in Paterson. While Paterson has made sure to aid the thousands of families in risk of homelessness, it still can't properly deal with the scale (Substance Use Overview 2023, pg. 3) (OHP Report 2022, pg. 42).
On cities with a lot of public areas—like New York—the impact can be minimal, but on a city like Paterson, it has much larger implications. As of now, Peru is enshrouded by this gloominess due to criminality being at an all-time high. While the situation in Paterson is not as bad as in my country, unsafety—regardless of its root—has an effect in society that can become irreversible.
For instance, the sense of unity within a community can slowly disappear as people begin to avoid public spaces. As they become neglected due to reduced foot traffic, they no longer fulfill their functions for the city.
The efforts in Paterson to address homelessness and drug addiction have been either insufficient or poorly implemented. The most recent estimate for homeless people in Paterson as of January 2024 is 411, compared to 248 in the previous year, showing a 66% increase (Malinconico). This places Paterson as the city with the highest raising rates of homelessness in the state.
According to Monarch Housing, one of the contributing factors to this recent increase in homelessness is due to the expiration of COVID-19 relief funds—which were being used for emergency housing programs. With the loss of such funds, many were evicted or displaced.
Even though drug and alcohol abuse are not one of the leading causes of homelessness (OHP Report 2023, pg. 5), they still are one of the most perceived types due to the nature of the individuals in this demographic.
For instance, Barbour Park—also known by residents as Needle Park due to the needles that would be found among the grass—was plagued by homeless and drug users. In September 2024, the renovated Barbour Park was opened to the public by Mayor Andre Sayegh, who noticed this problem.
Similarly to Barbour Park, Roberto Clemente Park saw a smaller investment of $200K in 2021. However, this did not last long due to the homeless that would occupy the space. While this would deter most people from ever stepping foot in the park, Mr. Vasquez—a homeless man—made it his mission to clean the playground every morning, but it's far too much for one person (Tobia).
Excluding Mayor Sayegh's previous $6M park improvements, these renovations have amounted to $5.7M since 2022. Without a stricter policy aiding homeless drug users, these major investments risk being in vain.
Additionally, programs such as housing initiatives and drug treatment services show that authorities are aware of these long-standing issues. However, the solutions have fallen short.
One of these initiatives was aimed at combating homelessness in Paterson by using federal funds from the American Rescue Plan. This provided temporary emergency housing. However, with the expiration of these funds, homelessness surged once again, with the number of homeless individuals increasing by 66%.
On a similar note, the shelters in Paterson almost always have openings, even in the middle of winter (Malinconico). The main issue that neuters the complete effectiveness of most initiatives is the unwillingness of the homeless. Unfortunately, it is likely due to a conflict of interests—the clash between their addiction and the adherence to a treatment plan required to keep receiving assistance.
In response to this, Suboxone has emerged as a promising solution to address drug addiction. Healthcare professionals are calling it a potential game-changer—because it's specifically designed to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. According to a CBS News report,
Paterson authorities led by Mayor Andre Sayegh have begun integrating Suboxone into their drug treatment programs, emphasizing its ability to stabilize individuals and guide them towards recovery (Duddridge).
While Suboxone has shown significant promise, its long-term effectiveness in transforming Paterson’s drug epidemic remains uncertain. In the meantime, other solutions must be considered to provide a more comprehensive approach, like improving treatment centers, offering integrated housing-first programs, and expanding programs like the Drug Court Initiative, which focuses on rehabilitation rather than incarceration.
Another solution to consider is sending homeless people back to their places of origin, meaning those who have moved to Paterson from other cities—due to the accessibility of drugs. However, this approach is morally controversial. Some residents argue it could reduce the numbers efficiently, while others believe it’s inhumane (Paterson Times). If implemented, the process should ensure that individuals are connected with social services in their hometowns.
Preventative measures are also key to tackling homelessness. As the World Economic Forum notes, addressing the root causes of homelessness—such as poverty, lack of education, and job opportunities—can stop people from becoming homeless in the first place.
Ultimately, solving homelessness in Paterson requires a coordinated approach. Improving treatment centers, offering relocation options, and preventing homelessness through better social services are critical steps that the authorities will have to acknowledge. By planning and implementing long-term solutions, Paterson can create a safer and more stable community, getting rid of the stigma of being a city plagued with poverty and addiction.
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