The Region - News from May 27, 1986

Two controversial drug rehabilitation programs have closed in San Diego County. Clients of the SLIC Ranch and BMA Outpatient Clinic were told in Escondido that the two centers will be closed and employees laid off, according to Richard Hoffman, a friend of Robert Meehan, who operated the clinics. State licensing officials told Meehan last week that his bid to continue operating his programs had been turned down. “We found that (Meehan) was not a responsible or reputable character in his dealings with us,” said Tom Hersant, director of the state licensing office in San Diego. Meehan had been operating SLIC Ranch without a license for three years. Clients at the live-in center outside Escondido paid $5,060 and were counseled by Meehan, who claims to be a recovered heroin addict and an ex-convict, and others who claim to have overcome drug addictions.