Responsibilities

Living at Troopers is a privilege, not a right. Every resident has the duty to maintain a safe, sober, and structured environment consistent with New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC 7.32.8 Behavioral Health Services), the New Mexico Human Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act, the New Mexico Fire Code (NMAC 10.25.5), and all probation/parole requirements.

These responsibilities are non-negotiable and apply at all times while residing in Troopers homes or participating in Troopers programs.

1. Sobriety and Recovery Participation

  • Sobriety is non-negotiable. All residents must maintain complete abstinence from alcohol, marijuana (even though legal in New Mexico), illicit drugs, and unauthorized prescriptions. Recovery homes are required under NMAC 7.32.8 to remain drug- and alcohol-free at all times.

  • Testing: Residents must comply with random or suspicion-based drug and alcohol tests. Refusal or tampering is treated the same as a positive result.

  • Programming: Residents must actively participate in Troopers’ structured recovery schedule, including Life Skills sessions (8:00 AM–11:00 AM), SUD/IOP groups (6:00 PM–9:00 PM), and all scheduled house meetings.

  • Medical/Clinical Appointments: Attendance at all medical, psychiatric, therapy, and PCP appointments is mandatory. Skipping or avoiding provider visits violates both Medicaid compliance standards and probation/parole conditions.

  • Transparency: Residents are required to report cravings, slips, or relapse honestly to staff so that immediate support can be provided. Secrecy puts the entire household at risk and will be treated as a violation.

Examples of Violations: Drinking outside the home and returning intoxicated, missing an IOP group without approval, skipping a psychiatric appointment, lying about relapse, or refusing a drug test.

2. Medication Management

  • Supervised administration: Medications must be taken at designated times, morning, afternoon, evening, and before curfew, under staff supervision.

  • Logging: All medications must be recorded in the medication log. Residents may not self-dose, hide, hoard, or share medication.

  • Safety: Controlled medications (opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines) are strictly monitored. Misuse, diversion, or non-disclosure will result in discharge and reporting to probation/parole and prescribing providers.

  • Communication: Residents must immediately report missed doses, side effects, or concerns to staff. Over-the-counter medications, supplements, or natural remedies must be disclosed for safety.

Why This Matters: Mismanaged medication undermines recovery, creates safety risks, and violates NMAC 7.32.8 standards for safe behavioral health service delivery.

3. Respect for Others

  • Dignity & Inclusion: Treat all peers, staff, volunteers, visitors, and community members with respect regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, culture, or recovery status.

  • Boundaries: Entering another resident’s room or touching their belongings without permission is prohibited.

  • Language: No harassment, bullying, hate speech, threats, or abusive language. Violations may be referred under the NM Human Rights Act or NMSA §30-3 Assault Statutes if threats occur.

  • Community Relations: Respect Troopers’ neighbors and property. No loitering, littering, or disruptive behavior outside the home. Residents represent the program in the broader community.

4. Community & Daily Living

  • Mandatory Attendance: Residents must attend all required house meetings, recovery groups, and community activities unless excused in writing for verified medical, probation, or legal obligations.

  • Curfew: Troopers closes doors at 10:00 PM sharp, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Residents must be inside before curfew. Residents on probation/parole must comply with both Troopers’ curfew and all curfew conditions set by their supervising officer. Violations will be reported to APPO immediately.

  • Household Chores: Residents are required to complete daily and weekly chores such as cleaning bathrooms, kitchens, trash duty, sweeping/mopping, laundry areas, and yard maintenance. A House Chore Board posts rotating assignments. Failure to complete chores disrupts community life and will result in corrective action.

  • Personal Space: Rooms must remain clean, sanitary, and organized. Beds must be made daily, and laundry managed regularly. Food and trash are not permitted in bedrooms.

  • Hygiene: Residents must shower daily, maintain clean clothing, and observe grooming standards. Personal hygiene is a matter of both self-respect and respect for peers.

  • Safety Reporting: Any hazards (fire, plumbing, electrical), contraband, or unsafe behaviors must be reported immediately to staff.

5. Health, Safety, and Compliance

  • Fire Safety: Residents must follow all fire safety rules under NMAC 10.25.5. This includes not blocking exits, tampering with smoke detectors, alarms, or extinguishers, and participating in all fire drills and emergency evacuations.

  • Maintenance: Report maintenance issues immediately. Residents may not attempt unauthorized repairs that could create hazards.

  • Weapons Ban: Firearms, knives (outside kitchen use), blunt objects, and other weapons are strictly prohibited under NMSA §30-7 Weapons Statutes. Discovery of weapons will result in immediate discharge and law enforcement notification.

  • Probation/Parole Compliance: Residents must follow all probation/parole conditions, including check-ins, curfews, drug testing, and restrictions on movement. Non-compliance will be reported.

  • Emergency Response: Residents must comply with all evacuation and emergency protocols. Refusal to participate in drills or deliberate interference with safety equipment is grounds for discharge.

6. Confidentiality and Privacy

  • Group/Peer Confidentiality: What is shared in group sessions or private conversations must remain confidential, consistent with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.

  • No Gossiping: Sharing another resident’s legal, medical, or personal history without consent is prohibited.

  • Technology: No recording, photographing, or social media sharing of residents, staff, or program spaces without written approval.

7. Accountability

  • Personal Responsibility: Residents must accept responsibility for their actions, words, and choices. Blaming others or refusing accountability is non-compliance.

  • Feedback & Redirection: Residents must accept staff guidance. Defiance, dishonesty, or repeated excuses erode program structure.

  • Community Impact: Residents are expected to contribute positively to the emotional and physical environment. Disruptive or toxic behavior affects the entire household and will not be tolerated.

  • Consequences: Violations of these responsibilities may result in verbal warnings, written behavioral contracts, loss of privileges, probationary status, or immediate discharge. Severe violations may also involve probation/parole reporting or law enforcement referral.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By entering Troopers property, residing in a Troopers home, or participating in any Troopers program, activity, or group, you acknowledge and accept these responsibilities in full.

Violations will be addressed promptly through internal protocols, probation/parole reporting, and, when necessary, law enforcement involvement.

Troopers is a place to rebuild, recover, and rise. Your full compliance with these responsibilities ensures safety, stability, and adherence to New Mexico law, making recovery possible for all.