Responding to quality concerns, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) will publish an online registry of sober homes in the state, the Boston Herald reported July 29.

DPH does not license or fund sober houses, but will allow the public to use the website to log complaints. "It's not a certification process," said Michael Botticelli, assistant commissioner for the state Bureau of Substance Abuse Services. "It isn't a DPH stamp of approval. Unlike with residential treatment programs, we don't have the authority to do that."

Consumers, lawmakers, and local leaders have had complaints about Safe Haven and other sober residences, including concerns about overcrowding and improper permitting. Programs would not be required to participate in the registry, but rather would voluntarily provide information like house rules, number of clients served, and eviction policies.

"Our understanding, based on what we know today, is that most alcohol- and drug-free housing is very safe," said Botticelli. "We don't feel there are a lot of substandard sober-housing operators out there and we don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water. We want to be very careful."