15/08/2026
Hello Community and Supporters,
We had a substantial incident occur at our sober home over the last two days and we are unsure of what direction to head. Any advice or support those reading this can provide would be greatly appreciated. We admitted a woman into our sober home on August 4, 2026. The next day she began refusing to follow the rules and policies of the program, including but not limited to, refusing to attend the required house meeting, refusing to provide a urine sample upon request for toxicology screening, and was caught smoking and eating the bedroom she was utilizing. She was growing increasingly aggressive towards staff and the other residents in the home, verbally assaulting everyone. She was discharged from the program on Thursday, August 13, 2026. Now comes the real problem.
This client refused to vacate the property of the sober home. She was an intelligent woman and knew what to say to who. We called our local law enforcement agency for support. They came to the home and after viewing her program agreement that states things like, “residents understand this is a program and they do not possess any tenancy rights and residents understand this sober home does not provide any refunds if you are discharged from the program for violating program rules and policies, and speaking with all parties involved, the lead officer told the client she did not have to leave the property. This was late Thursday afternoon. Law enforcement suggested staff go to the court house in the morning and request an order of protection.
Staff attempted to explain to law enforcement that this individual needed a higher level of care. That she was experiencing intermittent mania and delusions. Staff informed law enforcement that staff spoke with this individual's psychiatric provider at her IOP program who confirmed that during her intake she was substantially experiencing delusions of persecution and mania. Staff explained there were other residents in the program whose safety along with the safety of staff was at risk. Law enforcement left the program. Staff called to speak with an operator of a much larger program for advice. They suggested staff call 911 and request for an ambulance because this woman was clearly in psychiatric distress. Staff did this and the operator stated (paraphrased), we will put an ambulance on hold. That will force them to come out again and we can come and evaluate the individual.
A few minutes later, one officer arrived alone. He stated, "What's going on now?” The lone officer stayed for a short bit and left. No ambulance arrived. Staff called Backus Hospital and spoke with the on call psychiatric clinician. They suggested staff call 211 for an emergency evaluation. One individual showed up with one officer and evaluated the individual. Then the both left without providing staff any support or options. One resident who was becoming increasingly agitated with the situation was threatening to leave the safety of his program. He approached the woman and asked her to leave. A few minutes later he reported to staff that the individual threatened him with a knife if he didn’t leave her alone. Both this client and the woman called 911 a third time. The officers arrived, spoke to all parties, and insinuated to staff that he was lying. After they left, the client approached staff stating the same thing. “They acted like I was lying. No one is safe right now in this program.
The next day staff went to the courthouse to request a protective order. Staff brought all the necessary paperwork including this individual's Biopsychsocial, intake screens, three behavior contracts, and her discharge paperwork. Staff wrote an eight page narrative to help the court see the danger this woman posed in a sober home environment. Later that afternoon, staff was informed the order was denied. The suggested staff come in to speak with Victims Services and file a new complaint. The clerk reported the doors are locked at 5pm on Friday and that staff would be allowed in before then because of the urgent manner of this situation. Staff arrived at 4:59 and attempted to enter the courthouse. Staff was refused entry. Staff checked the time and it was 5:00pm.
When staff returned to the program, this woman’s case manager called the staff. Staff and CM spoke for a bit and asked, “I can’t help her until Monday. Would you be willing to give her enough of a refund to stay in a motel for the weekend and provide her transportation”. Staff agreed and was to speak with the women in thirty minutes to provide her these funds and transportation. After first agreeing, when staff started assisting her in packing and moving her belongings, she changed her mind. She became aggressive and assaultive, throwing a laundry basket at staff and yelling vulgarities at everyone. She called 911 again and reported staff moved her belongings into the living room. Law enforcement arrived, spoke to all parties, and decided to charge the woman for throwing an item at staff and the house manager who moved her belongings with disorderly conduct. Law enforcement were called two more times to the residence before they finally called an ambulance and brought this woman to the emergency room. The woman stated she filed complaints against staff with multiple state agencies and law enforcement submitted an elder abuse complaint against staff.
Here is the million dollar question we need answered before we make a decision about continuing operations in this town. Besides admitting someone who was inappropriate for sober living into the program, where did staff go wrong? This same incident occurred about two months ago and law enforcement immediately told the individual she needed to leave the property because she was discharged from the program. Law enforcement showed no concern for the safety and sobriety of anyone else in the program or the members in the home. “If they go out and relapse, that's their choice. Why did you feel you could search and move her belongings? Throwing an item at someone, even if it hits them is not assault. We can’t do anything about a threat with a knife because it wasn’t recorded.” Sadly, we were unable to participate in the Cancer walk we had signed up for as a program, and received sponsorship for. We need to understand this situation and devise a solution, or sober homes will be closing all across the state.
Sincerely,
DeMalias House of Hope
