More oversight is a good idea. As a former resident, I have had to deal with roaches, way too many roommates, and unqualified operators that have the power to ruin your life .... just to name a couple problematic things.

There needs to be more accountability and more oversight.

Oxford Houses and VARR-accredited organizations are currently overseen by DBHDS and the VARR model is being duplicated on a national level.  In other words, these models are successful and they are working.  

https://investigate-rva.com/

I would encourage everyone to read thru this before commenting. The recovery house operators are going to be in these comments throwing a bunch of crap at the wall to see what sticks. They are crooks, for the most part. 

VARR residences were the subject of a published study that shows that these types of residences result in giving people a better chance at long term recovery:

https://www.tandfonline.com/.../10.../07347324.2023.2182246

I’m so pleased to see that legislators are taking the reports of unethical treatment in sober houses seriously. It’s madness that there hasn’t been infrastructure in place to report deaths and serious injuries. That said, I fear that this bill is entirely reliant on the idea that NARR and VARR are reputable groups, worthy of DBHDS’s trust. In my personal opinion, NARR’s standards and certification processes are complete mumbo jumbo, because they’re entirely unenforceable. The state is outsourcing and entrusting non-profits to set ethical standards, but NARR isn’t in the business of enforcing anything, and neither is the state of Virginia in this case. I’m afraid legislation of this type will breed even more of a hush-hush environment in sober houses. Our legislators don’t understand that the more we entrust groups like NARR and VARR to channel people into recovery houses, the more likely we are to put people like the Sangsters, who run the FROG houses in RVA, out of business, and have systemic corruption across the board that prevents any victims from coming forward. Moreover, victims will have no options other than VARR or Oxford housing. It’s not as lucrative for VARR members when there are private citizens out there keeping alcoholics safe. I get that there should be ethical standards across the board, but if DBHDS is entrusting a corrupt group or groups to implement those standards, what do we think will happen? I’ll go out on a limb and say they’ll use all their resources to funnel people directly from incarceration into recovery housing under the guise of giving them a fresh start, but prevent them from having a choice in what sober living situation they would like to have. They’ll try to run private entities like the Sangsters out of business, continue to abuse people in their homes, and continue to get away with it because there’s no enforcement. So, you know, this legislation is all good and well, except I think that we’ve gone drastically awry in entrusting non-profits in this way; I feel what is effectively happening is the legislators are saying “yeah, be sure to report those deaths, by the way. Wow, look at us, such bleeding hearts, helping these vulnerable citizens,” and in response, VARR members will say, “oh lol, yeah, we’ll be sure to do that, wink-wink,” and nothing is changing. The Parham Papers is the only hope the state of VA has to upend this madness and stop it before it’s too institutionalized to undo.

Going in the VARR program that I learned to live thru STAR FISH recovery, my life was in shambles. Having had numerous charges and at the time even some pending, I can honestly say that my life would not be at the level of success that it has reached since. My mental, physical and financial stability has thrived since stepping foot into the program. Were the requirements rigorous, demanding, and take away some of the choices that normality provides, yes. However, those changes were obviously not going to be made voluntarily as my history of use would show, and my current state of life can be used as proof it worked! These programs do not need to alter there motives, but need the governments assistance to look at what is expected and what little is being provided by the state for those in need. Thru my experiences many of the set backs that resident’s experienced were do to the states lack of willingness to assist. Some of the most beautiful souls and hardworking individuals were met thru the rooms and the houses, however their time and abilities were limited by various request and limits the state has in place. It is one thing for the state to provide resources, but the quality of those resources sets the tone for the individual. The residency program can provide the opportunity but it is up to the individuals personal investment in themselves that determines how the opportunity is utilized. All of my coworkers, family, and friends can attest that Starfish was the change in my life that turned me into a true adult, I learned to think clearly, develop healthy habits, get in touch with myself and learn how to help not just myself when I feel uneasy but to lend a helping hand to others and be a leader. So please when discussing the topic of VARR programs and regulations please take several things into consideration. Consider the employees who work for the agencies that assist residencies, having an employee who is not attached to the recovery community will not go the extra mile without being able to relate to those in need. Addiction is truly a ticking death or incarceration time bomb, consider the swiftness that assistance is provided. Investment, invest in positive programs and encourage community engagement. Many people who you would not consider a junkie by sight suffer or have someone who has suffered  from addiction. By encouraging community engagement, those in need are able to see that others do care and want to see success. It works if you work it.