Treatment changes under way?
Sobering report outlines a flawed system for addicts
0 comments below
A county advisory group has recommended that state Office of Substance Abuse Services begin regulating sober homes which, its officials say, hinder addicts' recovery and sometimes contribute to their relapse.
Sober homes are group living facilities -- often in residential neighborhoods -- where individuals stay after they've been released from detox or rehabilitation programs. But many such facilities are not affiliated with a treatment program and although the county Department of Social Services foots the bill, their residents often go unsupervised -- an arrangement of great concern to health care professionals.
"[Some sober homes] are claiming to provide a really quasi-therapeautic service," said Richard Koubek, who chairs the advisory group, called the Welfare to Work Commission. "They are supposed to provide a safe, supportive housing arrangement for recovery and they are not. And, in fact, they are triggering relapse if not continuation.
"One of the [residents] actually testified he learned how to use cocaine in a sober home," Dr. Koubek said.
The commission, formed by county legislators, recently completed a year-long study, which included testimony, and compiled its recommendations in a 40-page report that was released June 3 before the county's health and human services committee in Hauppauge. Dr. Koubek said the commission, which comprises health care professionals, educators and religious leaders, recommended that sober homes contract with either the state or county, which would allow officials more oversight.
It also recommended that social services pay a higher rate to sober homes that are connected to a specific treatment plan.
The commission also recommended that the county legal department review the 2010 Homeworks court decision, which blocked the county from enforcing a law that would regulate sober homes, to determine if a new law can be drafted that does not violate federal statutes.
The commission's findings listed crime, job loss, welfare dependency, drunk driving incidents and broken families among the possible costs of addiction, caused in part by substandard sober homes, and concluded that those costs outweighed the costs required by the agencies to fix the status quo.
County Legislator Edward Romaine (R-Center Moriches), whose district includes Riverhead and Calverton, where some sober homes are located, likened the unscrupulous operation of sober homes to exploitation.
"[Landlords] are exploiting these people," Mr. Romaine said. "They don't provide them with any treatment. There are drugs. There is violence. They don't have any supervision in these homes."
Suffolk Legislator Kate Browning (WFP-Shirley) noted that while the report's recommendations might not be a cure-all, they were at least a step in the right direction. Her district includes Gordon Heights, where there is a proliferation of sober homes.
"It's been a long time and it's going to take a little bit more, but we are on the right path," said Ms. Browning.
peggy@northshoresun.com
The North Shore Sun is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. The North Shore Sun does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not The North Shore Sun. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Service and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
0 comments found
