A couple of weeks ago we printed a story on the front page of 20-year-old Nicole Fisher who died of a lethal drug overdose of heroin and fentanyl.  Fisher, from Quakertown, took the deadly combination while a resident at a "recovery house" in Croyden Bucks County.   She was dead for seven hours before someone found her.

        It was mentioned in the story that current Pennsylvania laws don't provide proper oversight, regulation and licensing of recovery houses.  Basically, anyone can open a so-called recovery house and rent it to one or several recovering addicts.   As long as there is no violation of local ordinances and zoning laws, it's legal.  Regulations on what you need to provide addicts seeking help don't exist.

        Since publishing the article, this newspaper has been contacted by several local residents whose family members have had bad experiences with recovery houses that did little more than provide a place to sleep and lots of time to seek out and use more dangerous and illegal drugs.

        In some urban areas, the homes pop-up and shut down rapidly.  Some owners buy up cheap houses and rent them to recovering addicts to make fast money.  Some even charge a fee to rent the homes.  There are even a few who collect federal and state money to provide the recovery houses.

        By far, many of the recovery homes are run by honest and legitimate people or organizations in an effort to provide hope for addicts fighting to break their drug habit.  The number of homes truly seeking to help addicts far outweighs the unscrupulous ones.  These homes should be supported.  It is only the few who try and take advantage of the system to line their own pockets that create a dangerous situation for those trying to recover.

        Four weeks ago, the Pennsylvania House passed HB 2108 that would require the state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to work up a certification process for recovery homes.  It passed by a vote of 201–0.

        According the bill's sponsor, State Rep. Frank Farry (R-Bucks), the aim of the legislation is to "provide incentives to owners to maintain best practices and encourage those who are genuinely trying to help those in recovery."

        While the proposed legislation can't stop someone from opening a recovery home without certification, only those certified would be eligible for state or federal funding.

        HB 2108 isn't the ultimate solution, but it is a giant step in correcting a loophole in the law that was brought into the open through tragedy.

        We urge the Senate to do their due diligence, then pass the bill as well.  You can help by calling your senator and urging him to support passage.

        In our readership area for Berks, Bucks and Montgomery Counties contact Sen. Bob Mensch (R-24), 404 Main St., Suite A, Pennsburg, PA 18073, 215-541-2388 or email: bmensch.pasen.gov.

        In our readership area, for Lehigh County contact Sen. Patrick Browne (R-16), 702 Hamilton St., Allentown, PA 18101, 610-821-8468 or email pbrowne@pasen.gov.

        Tell them we will not tolerate dishonest and uncaring people who may endanger and provide no help for the recovering addict or take advantage of those who seek help.  Also, there should be no federal funding and no state funding unless you are licensed and certified.

        After you contact your senator, check your local ordinances to make sure that recovery homes that pop-up in your area are required to be licensed and certified by the state.

        You'll be helping those who need help and putting a dent in a growing problem.