MADISON, W.Va. — Circuit Judge Will Thompson is pushing for the creation of a sober living facility to serve Boone and Lincoln counties.
Such facilities exist all over the state, but Thompson said most are in the larger cities like Charleston or Huntington. He believes recovering addicts would be better served trying to become clean and sober closer to home.
“A recovering drug addict would live at a house which is monitored by an employee of the house,” Judge Thompson told MetroNews just before a Tuesday evening public meeting on the plan at the Boone County Courthouse. “They would administer drug screens and encourage them to go find jobs and work. The people living there would pay rent or a stipend to live there.”
Thompson’s idea is in its infancy. However, several area churches have jumped on board and are helping promote the project. Through what’s known as the Hero House a recovering addict or alcoholic would have a place to get back on their feet. He or she would have a job and begin paying living expenses, but at the same time have access to support services and in many cases friends.
“It gives them freedom number one to find a job and figure out a way to support themselves,” Thompson said. “But also its gives them support of others in the house. One of the things that works best for those trying to recover from substance abuse addiction is the support of others. Some of them have strong families, but a lot of them don’t.”
Thompson said money is the first obstacle they need to overcome. The start up cost would be used to buy the house, which needs to be a larger location to support several tenants at a time. It also need to be within walking distance of services and jobs since most of the people who fall into the category have lost their driver’s license.
“I’d love for it to happen tomorrow, but it’s going to be a longer process,” said Thompson. “I’m hoping we can have something by early next summer.”