ARIZONA NEWS

Tempe City Council looks to combat surge of fake sober living facilities

Jan 27, 2024, 2:34 PM

(Twitter Photo/City of Tempe)...

(Twitter Photo/City of Tempe)

(Twitter Photo/City of Tempe)

PHOENIX — The Tempe City Council is taking aim at unlawful sober living facilities who have been victimizing Native Americans and unsheltered people struggling with addiction.

“It’s imperative that we protect the most vulnerable in our community and ensure the health and safety of our neighborhoods,” Tempe Mayor Corey Woods said in a release.

On Jan. 11, the council voted to approve exploration of requiring business licenses and creating an ordinance to handle the overwhelming amount of calls for service.

One of the proposals, requiring the facilities to obtain business licenses, mimics a service implemented by the city of Surprise that has seen success in limiting the number of fraudulent sober living options.

How big is the fake behavioral health care problem?

The issue has impacted communities across the Valley, not just Tempe.

In early December, ten people were arrested for recruiting 75 people to a fake behavioral health care facility in Phoenix.

The patients were mostly enrolled in the American Indian Health Plan (AIHP) which is administered by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCS).

The fake health center received $300 per-person payments per week from the duped victims, many homeless.

What’s a solution for the fraudulent facilities?

The other taskforce recommendation suggests a new system to make sure code enforcement is monitored on suspicious properties.

Getting ahead of tracking places that might be used for illicit services could help nip the issue in the bud.

“We remain committed to supporting lawful sober living homes that operate responsibly and meet the needs of our residents,” Woods said.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Thomas Galvin AZ Political Podcast...

Jim Sharpe

AZ Political Podcast: Thomas Galvin on public funding for sports teams, speed of election results

On this week's edition of AZ Political Podcast, Thomas Galvin discusses public funding for sports teams and how election results can be sped up.

23 minutes ago

US 60 between Superior and Miami will be closed until Friday due to blasting work that was performe...

David Veenstra

US 60 between Superior, Miami reopens following blasting

US 60 between Superior and Miami has reopened following blasting work that was performed in the area.

1 hour ago

Maricopa County 1 of 4 pharmacists sentenced for fraud...

Serena O'Sullivan

Maricopa County pharmacist among 4 sentenced in fraud conspiracy

A Maricopa County pharmacist named Raef Hamaed was one of four pharmacists sentenced for their roles in a $13 million conspiracy, officials said.

2 hours ago

Super Bowl ad Tempe...

Amy Edelen/Phoenix Business Journal

Tempe solar energy startup to appear in Google AI Super Bowl ad

A Tempe-based solar energy startup is showcasing its technology in a Google Workspace TV commercial that will air during the Super Bowl.

3 hours ago

weekend traffic advisory feb. 7-10...

Kevin Stone

Latest Valley freeway advisory includes significant closures on I-10, I-17

The Valley freeway advisory for this weekend includes another major closure on Interstate 10.

4 hours ago

Antwaun Ware received a life sentence for killing Jasmine Dunbar in 2018....

Kevin Stone

Man who killed woman, left baby on side of West Valley road in 2018 gets life sentence

A man who killed his ex-girlfriend and abandoned her baby on the side of a West Valley road in 2018 was sentenced to life in prison.

6 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

Tempe City Council looks to combat surge of fake sober living facilities