Studies have shown the most successful way to get off and stay off drugs is to get away. But that's hugely expensive as an intervention. People aren't prepared to accept that.
This statement hit me in the gut because it is so true. And if someone does get away, they have a hell of a time rebuilding a life if they have a felony drug conviction on their record.
I'm not an expert (or at all educated) in drug addiction or rehab. My experience lies in having people walk into my office who have relocated from another state/county/town (very often not long after getting off of parole or just out of prison) and desperately needing a place to live, but they are getting turned down left and right due to their conviction. We have been able to successfully rent to a few individuals and give them that second chance (sometimes we can't, depends on other factors). The stories they tell us of how they are treated are heartbreaking.
We also work with programs who give people a second chance. They become our tenants (the program) and they sublet to those needing placement and help to get back on their feet. I cannot tell you the hell we get from neighbors if they find out we are renting to an agency that does this. We work our asses off to keep that confidential, but it seems like someone always finds out from another source (definitely not us).
I rent my personal rental to an agency that does placements and I had to tell one neighbor to piss off when they contacted me saying they did not like me renting to "those people."
I'm really glad I run this company with my mom so we can make a teeny tiny difference in this area. Granted, the unfortunate fact is many fall off the wagon and don't make it (I actually had to have someone removed from my personal rental due to this, and damage to my rental) but many make it and do well. They just need a freaking chance TO make it.
