David Heitz
Bio
I am a journalist with 38 years' experience. I write for Potent, Vocal's cannabis blog, and Psyche, where I share stories of living with schizoaffective disorder bipolar one. I have lived in a penthouse and also experienced homelessness.
Stories (113)
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Homeless campers evade detection on rooftops
For a while when I was homeless in Denver from 2018 to 2020, I camped with a veteran named Willy. Willy could make a camp hidden from view. When I camped with him, we were under a railroad bridge that cross the South Platte River. He put up dry wall and camouflaged it to enclose our little spot.
By David Heitz9 months ago in Humans
Does city life contribute to psychosis?
Is life in the city contributing to psychosis in Denver? A study published this week in JAMA Psychiatry showed urban settings contributed to more acute cases of psychosis than rural areas. “We found that compared with rural neighborhoods, neighborhoods characterized by urbanicity and environmental exposure (i.e., air and noise pollution) were unilaterally associated with more severe psychotic symptoms, but that more severe depression and anxiety symptoms were specific to individuals residing in urban neighborhoods that also had high area deprivation (i.e., poor housing conditions, health outcomes, and socioeconomic disadvantage),” according to the study. “These findings remained significant after controlling for individual-level characteristics such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, education level, and household income.”
By David Heitzabout a year ago in Psyche
Jail alternatives benefit homeless, mentally ill
(Denver, Colo.) If you live in Denver, you no doubt have seen someone having a mental health crisis in a park. Many people experiencing homelessness utilize city parks as a place to rest during the day without breaking the law.
By David Heitzabout a year ago in Psyche
My prized possession during homelessness
Many people when they experience homelessness begin to amass large numbers of things. They might collect everything from rocks to rosaries. Many dumpster-drive for treasures and things they can sell. The ones who really like to horde won’t push one shopping cart, but two.
By David Heitzabout a year ago in Lifehack
Colorado lifts grateful journalist from homelessness
As someone who moved to Denver from Illinois three years ago, I understand transplants aren’t very welcome here. A popular opinion is that Denver is too crowded as it is. More transplants just mean more trouble, Denverites reason.
By David Heitzabout a year ago in Humans
What homeless people need to survive
Unfortunately, homelessness doesn’t come with a handbook. And some of us lack the “street sense” needed to survive. A successful journalist most my life, I never expected to become homeless. I demonstrated incredible denial as the money ran out, staying in luxury hotels after I left my apartment because I did not feel safe there.
By David Heitzabout a year ago in Lifehack
Fentanyl dealers say no to first-time users. Content Warning.
People who deal the drug fentanyl have begun to advise prospective buyers about overdose dangers. Three fentanyl dealers interviewed for this story under the condition of anonymity all said they worry about people overdosing on the drug. “Nobody wants anyone to die,” said one dealer. He said he asks new customers if they have used fentanyl before. If they haven’t, he won’t sell to them.
By David Heitzabout a year ago in Criminal
Homeless people suffer sores as xylazine enters fentanyl supply. Content Warning.
A dangerous drug that is being mixed into fentanyl is causing those who inject it to develop a rash of sores that resembles a case of flesh-eating bacteria. People experiencing homelessness around Denver can sometimes be seen with these bloody, weeping wounds. I recently mentioned this phenomenon to a fentanyl user who told me about the xylazine connection.
By David Heitzabout a year ago in Psyche
