Alcohol & Drugs: MIP, MIC, Intoxication Roommate Possession

[PRans]

HI,

My daughter who is attending college in NY state is considering renting a house with four other people. One of these friends has a history of drug use as well as dealing. According to my daughter this friend is currently trying to break the addiction and she is trying to help by having this friend be surrounded by people who lead a clean lifestyle rather than this friend's current surroundings - other users. Although I applaud her for this, I believe she puts herself at risk since I would guess there will end up being illegal substances in the house. This friend is not under professional care and according to my daughter is trying to handle the addiction with self help - using a self-perscribed substance (illegally obtained I am left to assume) to wean off the addictive substances.

I have advised her that if she inisists on going forward with this that she let her friend know that under no circumstances are there to be illegal substances in the house because this puts everyone who lives there under the risk of possesion even if they are not using. I suggested that the best course would be for her freind to be under professional care in which case any drugs needed for rehab would be legal.

Can you please advise specifically what the risks are to my daughter should there be illegal substances in her home or in the car should they be driving together and get pulled over?

Thank you!

 

[CdwJava]

If the friend is on probation or parole, the entire house and any room she potentially have access to can be searched by the police.

If she uses or deals, her friends and associates might be tramping in or out and this could result in property disappearing. Even if no friends come over, if she falls off the wagon, things could also disappear as she tries to feed her habit once more ... one clue might be if she does not come up with the money for her share of the household expenses.

And, if there are controlled substances in the home or any vehicle, the person or people responsible can ALL be held accountable for the presence of the substance. Possession does not require ownership, so if she dumps dope in a common area anyone with access to the area will have some explaining to do.

Kicking a habit is very tough to do even when part of a program. Kicking a serious habit by yourself is next to impossible. In my opinion, the friend needs to step up and take some ACTION to show she is serious about a clean life ... her words mean little if not supported by some form of action. Hopefully she succeeds, but I am very skeptical.

- Carl

 

[presutin]

I would just add to CDW's comments that many a times intention does not mean action. Your daughter will be better off living with people that do not have a past and she still can be a supporter of the recovering friend without having to have that person living under the same roof as her. Good Luck!