A Journey Through the Woods: A Former Drug Dealer’s Mission to Help Oregon’s Homeless Amidst the Crisis

The crisis of homelessness and drug addiction in Oregon has reached unprecedented levels in recent years. In this article, we delve into the heart of the issue by exploring one of the largest homeless camps in the state, through the eyes of a former drug dealer turned gospel messenger, Matt Maceira.

Matt Maceira, a man with a past steeped in drugs, violence, and crime, was born into a world where worthlessness and hopelessness were the norm. He started drinking at the tender age of eight and was introduced to crank by his father when he was just eleven. His life was a whirlwind of chaos, marked by stabbings, addiction, and despair.

However, Maceira’s story takes an unexpected turn when a pastor befriended him, refusing to give up on him despite his troubled past. This encounter marked the beginning of a new chapter in Maceira’s life. After several more years, he finally turned his back on the only way of living he had ever known and embraced a life of sobriety and redemption.

Oregon’s homeless population has grown by 37.4% from 2020 to 2023, according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The state has the second-highest percentage of homeless residents who are unsheltered (64.6%), behind only California (68%). The state and local government spending on housing and other homeless services has also skyrocketed.

Maceira and a team of volunteers recently ventured into the woods behind Wallace Marine Park, located just across the Willamette River from the Oregon State Capitol, to distribute essentials to the residents of one of the largest homeless encampments in the state. As they navigated the muddy terrain, Maceira shared his story and offered words of encouragement to those he encountered.

Many of the people Maceira works with are also formerly homeless, like Aidan, who ran away from home at the age of eleven. He spent most of the next twelve years living on the streets or in the woods behind Wallace Marine Park. Aidan had an epiphany in October 2019, just a month before the birth of his daughter, and decided to turn his life around. Now, five years clean and sober, Aidan works for a medication-assisted addiction treatment facility and often returns to his old home, sharing the gospel and encouraging others to find their way out of the forest.

Tyler, a 28-year-old man who has been homeless and addicted to meth for about a decade, was also helped by Maceira and the team during their visit. Tyler called a treatment facility, taking the first step towards sobriety and a new life.

Some residents of the encampment, like Seven and Ressa, prefer living in the woods to the confines of indoor housing. For them, the freedom of the outdoors is more appealing than the claustrophobic feeling of being surrounded by four walls.

However, Maceira acknowledges that not everyone’s story is the same. He is critical of Oregon’s approach to the homeless crisis, which he believes often neglects to address the underlying causes. The “housing first” model, which prioritizes giving homeless individuals housing without preconditions like sobriety or addiction treatment, does not stop drug addiction or address mental health needs. Maceira opposes low-barrier shelters and believes a lot of money is being wasted on programs that put the homeless out of sight and out of mind.

Drug addiction and homelessness went “hand in hand” for Maceira. While he acknowledges that this is not everyone’s story, he is deeply critical of Oregon’s approach to the homeless crisis, which he believes often neglects to address the root causes. The “housing first” model, which prioritizes giving homeless individuals housing without preconditions like sobriety or addiction treatment, does not stop drug addiction or address mental health needs. Maceira opposes low-barrier shelters and believes a lot of money is being wasted on programs that put the homeless out of sight and out of mind.

Maceira has also spoken out in favor of re-criminalizing possession of hard drugs in Oregon, believing that lawmakers have an opportunity to “course correct” during their current legislative session. He argues that letting people use methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin or any other deadly substance is not compassionate.

As the group made their way through the encampment, they encountered a young man trying to keep a fire burning in the rain. Maceira and the team offered him warm socks and water, providing a moment of relief in the harsh winter conditions.

The journey through the woods with Maceira and his team was a poignant reminder of the complexities of the homeless crisis in Oregon. It is a crisis that demands compassion, understanding, and a commitment to addressing the root causes, rather than just providing temporary solutions.

Maceira’s story is a testament to the power of redemption and the importance of never giving up on those who are struggling. His mission to help Oregon’s homeless, amidst the crisis, is a beacon of hope in a world that can often seem hopeless.

As the team made their way back to their vehicles, they left the woods behind, but the memories of the encampment and the people they had met would stay with them, a reminder of the ongoing struggle against homelessness and addiction in Oregon.