An official groundbreaking ceremony was held last week for an addiction recovery center in eastern Kentucky. State officials were in Bell County to recognize the construction of the Cumberland River RHOAR Center in Middlesboro. RHOAR stands for Recovery, Hope, Opportunity and Resiliency.
The center will house and treat more than 100 women struggling with substance use disorder. Bell County Judge Executive Albey Brock said many of the women are mothers.
“Due to having the housing element, when they reach a certain phase we’re going be able to hopefully reunite them with their kids. And that in and of itself is a motivating factor for these folks to continue staying clean,” said Brock.
Brock said that reunification would not happen straight away.
“When they reach a certain phase, and you know, that would be after months, and you know, they’re crossing their T's and dotting their I's, then yes, it would be possible to have their children reunite with them in that facility,” said Brock.
Brock added that the women will have the opportunity to take classes at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College while they are in the program. The judge executive says at a certain point in their recovery, the women will also be given jobs through SEKRI, or Southeast Kentucky Rehabilitation Industries. Brock said employment is a major factor in long term success.
The judge executive added that financial assistance is available to those who qualify.
Officials expect the RHOAR Center to open in late 2023.
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