More Oahu homeless residents dying from meth overdoses

  • Source: KITV ABC 4 Honolulu
  • Published: 04/01/2021 12:00 AM

Hawaii's homeless are dying from methamphetamine, over any other cause. On average, every three days a homeless resident dies on Oahu's streets. Many of those sudden deaths are being blamed on meth, and so are the chronic conditions killing off this vulnerable population. Tului Tiapula is homeless, but he likes to stay busy at Pawaa In-ha Park, even though he, like many others who live on the streets, has health issues. "I had a bleeding ulcer, then surgery, then it started to bleed again. When I stand up and walk, I'm ok, but I can't sit for too long. I'm diabetic too," said Tiapula. He doesn't worry much about his own health, but he's seen other homeless residents who needed help to survive. "I've seen the ambulance come and people overdose like that," added Tiapula. Paramedic Sunny Fitzgerald has been working for EMS for the past 5 years, and during that time she's treated a number of homeless residents under the influence of methamphetamine.



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