Priority: Drug-Free Centers

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.