Pubdate: Mon, 26 May 2003 Source: Greenville News (SC) Copyright: 2003 The Greenville News Contact: http://greenvillenews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/877 Author: Paul Alongi STATE GOING ALL THE WAY IN CUTTING AID TO HALFWAY HOUSES Broken washing machines, unpaid bills and belligerent residents are all in a day's work for Chris Marlowe. He's the only employee in a state program that monitors halfway houses for people trying to kick drugs and alcohol. State funding for his position dries up on June 30. About 100 residents, many fresh out of rehab or psychiatric wards, will be left to fend for themselves, said Marlowe, a recovering alcoholic who lives in Greenville. "A part of me wants to quit, but then I've got people telling me, 'No, Chris, fight 'em,'" he said. "We're afraid if we walk away from this we won't be able to start it up again." Marlowe's $85,680 contract was one of several cut due to the state's financial woes, said John Hart, a spokesman for the state Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse. Eliminating Marlowe's position ends state financial support to the houses, Hart said. Other halfway houses have survived on their own, he said. "We think it's a gamble worth taking because of the strength of the houses," he said. Marlowe oversees 12 Palmetto Houses, including five in Greenville County and two in Anderson County. About six to eight residents live in each house, but taking an official tally is difficult because turnover is high, Marlowe said. Ten houses are for men, two for women. Residents pay their own bills and govern themselves. Houses are leased. Drugs, alcohol, pets and overnight guests are prohibited. New residents don't need a job when they move in, but loafing isn't tolerated. Joe Altman, who moved into a Greenville house after struggling with alcohol and cocaine, said Marlowe helped guide residents when someone was caught pilfering the house account. "These houses would fall to pieces without someone overseeing everything," Altman said. It takes an 80 percent vote to admit a new member to a house, and a 50 percent vote to kick a member out. Each house elects officers - a president, treasurer, secretary, comptroller and chore coordinator. No state money goes into the houses, except for Marlowe's salary and expenses. Marlowe said he takes a $36,000 salary and uses the rest of the money for traveling and telephone bills. When Marlowe is gone, the state will be able to provide some guidance to the residents, Hart said. The hope is that local alcohol and drug commissions will also be able to help, he said. But oversight won't be as intense as Marlowe's program, Hart said. The contract is overseen by Anderson/Oconee Behavioral Health Services. Executive director Karen Beck said the houses will either become stronger or fail when Marlowe is gone. "I think the concept of the program is very good," she said. "It's something that needs to be out there to help our recovering community." Marlowe said he sobered up in a Charleston halfway house similar to the ones he oversees. He's since helped start 30 statewide. Some are now overseen by a private company. Marlowe said he hasn't turned off his pager in 10 years, and his heart skips a beat when it beeps. "I don't get invited to the party," he said. "I get invited when the roof is on fire." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake