PRIORITY: DRUG-FREE CENTERS

Investigation of Santa Ana alcohol and drug treatment facility raises issues
for the community.

There have been conflicting claims recently about drug use at a Santa Ana
alcohol and drug treatment center, but whatever the facts in the case may
be, the first priority must be keeping such facilities drug-free.

By their nature, addictions are difficult to break. The temptations to try
cocaine again or take an alcoholic drink are strong; too often there are
people willing to help feed an addiction.

This month, agents from the county Probation Department and Health Care
Agency raided the treatment center and a nearby building designated for
"sober living." The treatment center, licensed by the state, helps people
get free of drugs including alcohol. The sober-living building houses people
who have completed rehabilitation programs or men on probation or parole and
required to live in a drug-free environment. Both are run by Cooper
Fellowship Inc., a nonprofit organization.

So far only two people of the 44 tested from both facilities has been found
to have drugs in their systems. An attorney for the two centers said that
showed that allegations of drug use at the facilities, supposedly from a
disgruntled former employer, were untrue.

State officials say they have joined the investigation, which is proper.
Federal funds funneled through the county pay for the treatment program.

The 44 people tested were told to find other approved housing during the
period of the inquiry. The investigation should be carried out quickly, for
the sake of the recovering addicts and those who will need such facilities
in the future and to provide quick and fair disposition of the probe for
Cooper Fellowship Inc.

Many of the men and women in Orange County's jails are there because of drug
use. Weaning them from their addictions makes society safer, frees up space
in overcrowded jails and helps addicts become functioning and productive
members of society.

The Health Care Agency contracts for more than 500 beds in the county.
Losing a dozen beds or more will put a crimp in a good program, which is why
it's important that a thorough inquiry be conducted quickly. Sober-living
facilities can be valuable in helping those who have gone through treatment
spend additional time in an atmosphere free of drugs.

Operators of these transitional facilities need to be vigilant against
relapses by their clients. They also should see to it that clients'
activities don't lead to frequent police calls and angry neighbors. The
problem of displeased neighbors has become worse in communities such as San
Clemente, where sober-living centers are more prevalent than elsewhere.

Santa Clara County has given oversight of sober-living residences to the
county district attorney's office. That seems to have eased tensions with
neighbors and could provide a model for Orange County.