Q&A: Substance Abuse

Question:   Does HUD have any procedures or guide for developing substance abuse Policies and drug testing procedures?  On occasion we have an individual or two that everyone in the complex knows is using and/or distributing drugs, but other than a person testing positive on a drug screening, my only other option is to involve the police.  This is difficult as the transactions happen very quickly and the police can’t show up and search an apartment without a warrant.  I feel like I’m caught in a vise trying to deal with this – and of course, the tenants think that management is doing nothing to solve the problem.  ~Mickie in NC

Answer:  This is a tough situation that many properties face.  HUD does not require or offer any particular method for dealing with this; anything you do would be a matter of management policy.  Some suggestions:  Get copies of police reports weekly or monthly, to see if any tenants were arrested or charged with anything that violates the lease.  Involve the police as much as possible; maybe the station would assign someone to work with you to try to solve this problem.  Install very visible security cameras.  Let all residents know that management will be talking to the police on a weekly basis, and that the police will be visiting the property at different times without warning.