Street Medicine Providers Encourage Homeless People in Las Vegas to Seek Treatment
LAS VEGAS—In the bustling city of Las Vegas, beneath the glitz and glamour of the Strip, a hidden world exists. A world where the most vulnerable members of society seek refuge in the dark and damp tunnels that stretch beneath the city, away from the unforgiving desert sun and the prying eyes of society.
Case manager Bryon Johnson, a beacon of hope for these tunnel dwellers, ventures into this underground labyrinth to reach out to his homeless clients. On a recent fall afternoon, Johnson found Jay Flanders, 49, stretched out on a makeshift bed in one of the tunnels beneath Caesars Palace. Flanders, riddled with sores and battling meth use and mental health issues, had been living underground for several years.
The Perilous World Below Ground
The tunnels, initially constructed for flood control, have become a refuge for those unable to afford housing in the ever-expanding city. Street medicine providers and homeless outreach workers have noticed a troubling trend—more and more people are retreating underground as housing costs soar and local officials crack down on homelessness.
Rob Banghart, vice president of community integration for the nonprofit organization Shine a Light, who himself lived in the tunnels for years, noted the increasing prevalence of drugs like meth, fentanyl, and opioids among the tunnel dwellers. Banghart, now sober for over six years, recalled the tunnels as a twisted sense of community for those seeking shelter from the harsh realities above ground.
The Harsh Realities of Tunnel Living
While the tunnels provide cover from extreme weather conditions and a sense of privacy, they also pose significant risks. Drugs, infections, and untreated wounds plague the tunnel dwellers, like Flanders, who suffer from deep skin sores caused by a dangerous street drug known as “tranq.”
Despite the dangers, many like Flanders feel safer below ground than facing the challenges of life above. With rising housing costs and a booming population, more and more individuals, both locals and out-of-towners, find themselves homeless and seeking refuge in the tunnels.
A Call for Help
Front-line providers like Bryon Johnson are on a mission to coax these vulnerable individuals out of the tunnels and into care. With services ranging from medical treatment to housing referrals and drug rehabilitation programs, organizations like Shine a Light are working tirelessly to provide hope for those living in the shadows.
But the battle is far from over. The scorching heat, monsoons, and floods of Nevada pose a constant threat to those living below ground, leading to tragic outcomes. Yet, amid the challenges and dangers, there remains a glimmer of hope as dedicated individuals like Johnson strive to make a difference, one tunnel dweller at a time.
