Editorial

It’s seems like a no-brainer.

A city should have the right to monitor such things as sober-living

homes, to ensure those living near these facilities peppered throughout

residential neighborhoods will be safe and secure.

Yet, that is not the case.

State law forbids cities from regulating facilities that have six or

fewer residents and that do not offer medical treatment. Bill yourself as

a treatment center, and you can pretty much do whatever you want.

That’s exactly what happens, say Costa Mesa officials who add that

many homes that advertise as treatment centers are really just

flophouses, some even catering to drug dealers who peddle their wares in

the homes.

With their hands tied by the state, city officials for years could do

little to control that trend. With 106 group homes, 21 of which are

designated as sober-living facilities, city officials needed some sort of

muscle.

Now, they may have found at least a small bit.

City planning commissioners gave the go ahead to join a county program

known as the Adult and Alcohol and Drug Sober Living Facilities

Certification, which will give officials some ability to monitor these

residences and protect homeowners.

Under the county program, city officials will monitor staffing,

admissions, building and grounds maintenance, and basic good neighbor

rules in regards to the homes.

The program will take effect in October.

While getting certification is voluntary, the program does create a

big roadblock for those sober facility owners who don’t obtain it because

it bars them from getting any business referrals from the county courts

or social service agencies, the source of many substance abuse clients.

Costa Mesa has taken the right course, and we urge city and county

leaders to work at finding more ways to protect homeowners who may be

suffering from a group home that is not a good neighbor.