City of Lost Chilrdren: Faces of Homeless Youth in Portland, OR

PORTLAND, OR- OCTOBER 30: Jason, 26, was a heroin addict living on the streets since he was 18. He became clean and got off the streets when his wife became pregnant with their daughter Zaphan, now three months old. Portland, Oregon has the highest population per capita of homeless youth in the United States. An estimated 2500 youth in Portland lack permanent housing and live on the streets, in shelters or "squats." According to studies, over 90 percent of Portland's street kids are victims of sexual and physical abuse. The epidemic spread of "meth", and some of the cheapest heroin in the nation fuel a high rate of drug addiction in this demographic. Infection of incurable diseases such as Hepatitis C and HIV is also rampant among homeless youth. The average life expectancy for a homeless youth living on the streets is 26 years of age. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)