def METHOD_NAME(self, lines):
    assert self._model_object.location.line > 0
    line_index = self._model_object.location.line - 1
    if line_index == 0:
        return 0
    # Note: Handles only the case if there is a blank
    # line or comment before the declaration
    for i in range(line_index, -1, -1):
        line = lines[i].strip()
        if not line or line.startswith('/'):
            return i + 1