Quote of the Day - Lois Frankel

“We’re not against sober homes. We’re going to try to find the right balance….We want people to get back into society, but you can’t have sober homes take over neighborhood after neighborhood.”

~ Lois Frankel

Talking to the Mayors about regulating Sober Homes that are creeping into residential neighborhoods.

Pow Wow at Bryant Park

A source has said that managers from area halfway houses conducted a meeting this morning at our Bryant Park. The parking lot was filled; some were bussed in. According to Facebook, Occupy Palm Beach was supposed to be meeting there as well. At 11:30, all was quiet.

A halfway house is a place to allow convicted criminals to begin the process of reintegration with society. According to Dr. Howard Samuels of the Hills Treatment Center--

Sober living houses are often confused for halfway houses. A halfway house is generally provided for those released from jail or prison, and serves as a reintegration tool. Many halfway houses treat substance abuse, although this may not be their primary focus. Some are reserved solely for those with severe mental disorders. Halfway houses often involve a program of treatment with daily groups and meetings. These facilities are government funded, and may be free or low-cost.

Sober living houses are private residences, usually providing support for those struggling with a substance abuse problem. They differ in structure and prices, but generally have less structure than a halfway house. Sober livings are attended voluntarily, and are not usually court-mandated. Provided as a means for reintegration of recovering addicts, sober living houses give the recovering addict a healthy peer network and model of recovery.
 

FL Senate bill 582 - Sober Houses - Jeff Clemens

Comment Up
A Jeff Clemens bill--This will be law by July 1, 2014. See them popping up in your neighborhood as we can't do much about them unlike the vacation rentals that this city has never addressed...(afraid of lawsuits). At least Clemens is putting some restrictions on Sober Houses. According to a source--Did you know that we have executive offices for half-way houses opening up in our downtown?  Our downtown for Godsakes!

Sober Houses (SB 582): Would require sober houses to be certified by the Department of Children and Families annually; DCF must adopt rules for certification.

(10) It is recognized by the Legislature that a person suffering from addiction has a higher success rate of achieving long-lasting sobriety when given the opportunity to build a stronger foundation by living in a supportive, sober environment  after completing treatment.
(11) It is the intent of the Legislature to protect persons who live in a sober house transitional living home while they undergo treatment as provided in s. 397.311(18) at a licensed facility. These persons represent a vulnerable consumer population in need of adequate housing, whom this state and its subdivisions have a legitimate state interest in protecting.

CS/SB 582: Substance Abuse Services

GENERAL BILL by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs ; Clemens

Substance Abuse Services; Prohibiting a sober house transitional living home from operating in this state without a valid certificate of registration from the Department of Children and Families; requiring a sober house operator to annually apply for a certificate of registration with the department; requiring certain sober house transitional living homes to apply for a certificate of registration by a specified date; requiring the department to adopt rules pertaining to the application process for obtaining a certificate of registration, etc.

Effective Date: 7/1/2014
Last Action: 2/13/2014 Senate - Now in Community Affairs
Location: In committee/council (CA)
Bill Text: Web Page | PDF

Sober Houses SB 582

Comment Up

Florida lawmakers, one of whom is Jeff Clemens, are seeking rules for "sober houses" that are allowed to be in our residential neighborhoods. According to the city manager, we have three such requests for housing for the Homeless in residential neighborhoods, many of whom are addicts. These sober houses will house addicts and alcoholics and/or the mentally ill. Those clever landlords who want to take over properties to make a living off of the government and the American taxpayer under the pretense of helping these poor folks, could be locating right next to you. There had better be laws that protect all of us. Crime is up and some of the Homeless are involved.

Jeff Clemens is also sponsoring medical marijuana that is a drug that leads to harder drugs. 99.9% of cocaine users began by using marijuana. See Foundation for a Drug free world.  Marijuana is addictive. About 1 in 6 people who start using as a teen, and 25-50 percent of those who use it every day, become addicted to it. Perhaps when that bill passes, we will have more marijuana/addicts living next door to you.

But the housing will be regulated, a sobering thought.

Hypodermic needle on S. Lakeside Drive

SB 582: Substance Abuse Services

GENERAL BILL by Clemens

Substance Abuse Services; Prohibiting a sober house transitional living home from operating in this state without a valid certificate of registration from the Department of Children and Families; requiring a sober house operator to annually apply for a certificate of registration with the department; requiring certain sober house transitional living homes to apply for a certificate of registration by a specified date; requiring the department to adopt rules pertaining to the application process for obtaining a certificate of registration, etc.

Effective Date: 7/1/2014
Last Action: 1/16/2014 Senate - Referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Community Affairs; Rules
Location: In committee/council (CF)
Bill Text: Web Page | PDF