Jean in Newcastle Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 My neighbor across the street rents out her basement apartment to a man in his 40's. She came over today and told me that she just found out that he is a meth addict. She feels like it is ok because he is going to meetings (I assume one of the 12 step programs) and was clean for a long time. But then she told me that in the 1 month that he has been living there, he has relapsed at least 2x that she knows of. If he relapses anymore she will evict him. But my questions is: is there a danger to the general neighborhood or is this a problem that would be more contained to her house? I am over at her house a few times a month to help her with her dog boarding business. He usually is not there when I go over there. It isn't the kind of thing where he would actually be cooking the stuff. The kitchen (that they share) is on her floor of the house and she would surely notice if he was doing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fshinkevich Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 In my (very) limited experience it can be extremely dangerous. I wouldn't even worry so much about things like exploding kitchens, but the erratic behavior. He could get to a point where he will do /ANYTHING/ to get more drugs, it is a very powerful addiction My sister in law has been on and off of meth almost her whole life, and is very sad to watch. She is currently homeless and gave up all her children, she weighs about 80 pounds. I love her, but I won't let her anywhere near my family :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 That's a tough question because every addict is different. I can tell you we had meth addicts living next to us for years and apart from the messy yard, they were quiet and caused no problems. My brother was a meth addict and has been clean for over 10 years. Relapses happen. It's how he recovers from them that matters. The man is going to meetings and getting support so that's important. The only thing I would really be concerned about is if he does start using regularly again there might be a problem with theft so he could support a growing habit. I think it's great of your neighbor to give him a chance. Meth is a tough drug to quit. I'm so lucky to have my brother! I also understand her policy of evicting him if he relapses again and encourage her to discuss this with him. It might just help him feel worthy and help him stay clean. HTh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 If I were you I'd also get a locking mailbox if you don't already have one. Often the identity theft people you hear about on the news are doing it to support their drug habits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 It would give me pause. Meth (and PCP) users tend to have remarkably bad decision making going on. I would at least be on the lookout for any erratic behavior. (A meth lab would be a whole 'nother ball of wax, just because of the chemicals, and I would be beside myself and doing everything possible to get it out of my neighborhood.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Definitely call the police if you see/hear anything suspicious over at your neighbor's house...whatever you do, don't go over there by yourself. I wouldn't trust a drug addict to behave rationally and you don't want to risk your own safety. (Especially if your neighbor tries to evict him...it could get ugly.) Please be careful! I can honestly say that I'd be very unhappy to find out that my neighbor would continue to rent to an active drug user. And I wouldn't feel safe going over to her house at any time for any reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Definitely call the police if you see/hear anything suspicious over at your neighbor's house...whatever you do, don't go over there by yourself. I wouldn't trust a drug addict to behave rationally and you don't want to risk your own safety. (Especially if your neighbor tries to evict him...it could get ugly.) Evictions are done without direct confrontation.(At least here. I assume DE is similar) She would file with the courthouse and he would be notified (with appeal and date of exit information) by certified mail or the sheriff. If he's not gone by the date given, and hasn't appealed, the sheriff (or whomever - someone with body armor and a gun) will remove him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Evictions are done without direct confrontation.(At least here. I assume DE is similar) She would file with the courthouse and he would be notified (with appeal and date of exit information) by certified mail or the sheriff. If he's not gone by the date given, and hasn't appealed, the sheriff (or whomever - someone with body armor and a gun) will remove him. The guy is living under the same roof as his landlord which makes this a trickier situation, I think. Even if he's notified by mail, he could still bump into her at the mailbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Oh, I totally missed that! (Note to self, read ALL the words... preferably in order) Oh, well, she might want to go on vacation then, if eviction becomes necessary. yikes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillieBoy Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 As unfair as this sounds; I would not trust this person until there has been a long time since the last relapse. These folks have a difficult time with right and wrong and would hurt their own mother for a fix if they were in a bad way. We once had our home ransacked and robbed while I was in the hospital for a week. They took anything and everything that could be pawned, including a "girly" chainsaw (I painted with flowers). They even smashed my then 2 year olds piggy bank and took the time to leave all the pennies and took the rest. They were latter caught and come to find out it was a neighbors son and friends. We knew this kid and his family pretty well. I would never had guessed. I broke my heart. But when meth is involved, be worried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillieBoy Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Oh I forgot to mention... We were afraid that they had used our home to make the stuff too but the Sheriff inspected and said no. He also said most the the users that rob are looking for quick money to buy not make, most are not in the right mind to produce it. Dh just reminded me that the sheriff also said if you see small propane tanks with blue stuff on it than that is a sure give away. We lived in a pretty secluded area in the Cascade foothills and they were finding those propane bottles everywhere. One of the reasons we sold and moved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexandra Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 me a story of her lawyer husband's client who lost his home because his tenant was producing and selling drugs out of a room that he rented out. What a difficult predicament for her as well as you. I would agree with the idea of not going over there and boy would I be watching my kids when they ventured outdoors. Best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabeth Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I live in a neighborhood infested with meth users and a couple who might be cooks. I would rather have rabid dogs in my house. He is likely going to a 12 step program as part of pretrial release or parole. As a lawyer who has dealt with this and sibling of an addict (crack) your neighbor is in fact, taking her life in your hands by having this person in the vicinity. They will steal, cheat , lie and generally do whatever is necessary to maintain their habit. That includes selling/making porn as it goes with meth use due to hyper sexual behaviour from the drug. Two relapses means 10 are a more accurate count. Sorry but I have been around the block with this. I live with meth addicts in my neighborhood they are barely recognizable as humans and certainly are way worse to deal with than any other type of addict I have had the displeasure of dealing with and I have seen plenty practicing law in Iowa. Have her read this link . Sorry but the level of deviance and pure sociopathic behaviour this drug causes makes the people who use it truly way beyond anything you can imagine. http://www.methresources.gov/ia.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted August 8, 2009 Author Share Posted August 8, 2009 Thank you for the advice and input. Some good signs - he is employed full-time and is gone during the day. According to my neighbor, his girl-friend does not use drugs and goes with him to the meetings. Bad signs- While I understand that relapses happen, 2 relapses in the one month he has lived across the street seems like a high relapse rate to me. But perhaps I'm wrong on that? I will start to lock things up more. And yes, I'm a bit worried for my neighbor if she has to evict him. Even with the sheriff coming out to supervise his moving out (if he doesn't do it willingly) it could get pretty ugly. And this is the neighbor that I had to physically rescue when an old boyfriend of hers was trying to kick down her door. Sigh. She does not have good instincts on who to trust. Elizabeth - I just read your post. Yikes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 (Note: I have been clean and sober 18+ years and worked with many tweakers/meth addicts over the years) I woud NOT rent space to someone with less than 2 years clean. Period. 2 uses in 1 month is not relapse. It's still using. It's a severe problem and I have tremendous empathy for the addict. It's not MY problem, though, and I would not put my family and property knowingly at risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Agreeing with the other posters here. I have unfortunately had many long years of experience with loved ones' drug addictions. As Joanne said, two relapses in one month is not relapsing, it is still using. This person is NOT clean, and I highly, highly doubt he was honest with the landlord about it either. I also think it quite likely that there are far more relapses than that. I would not consider this person safe or harmless and think your neighbor is dangerously naive to think so. Yes, I would evict, pronto. As a neighbor, keep a sharp eye, don't hesitate to call the cops, and make sure your own home is secure. I'm sorry. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emeraldjoy Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I really love what you said and how you said it Kalah; As a person in recovery from a meth addiction; thanks. e That's a tough question because every addict is different. I can tell you we had meth addicts living next to us for years and apart from the messy yard, they were quiet and caused no problems. My brother was a meth addict and has been clean for over 10 years. Relapses happen. It's how he recovers from them that matters. The man is going to meetings and getting support so that's important. The only thing I would really be concerned about is if he does start using regularly again there might be a problem with theft so he could support a growing habit. I think it's great of your neighbor to give him a chance. Meth is a tough drug to quit. I'm so lucky to have my brother! I also understand her policy of evicting him if he relapses again and encourage her to discuss this with him. It might just help him feel worthy and help him stay clean. HTh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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