ELIZABETHTOWN — Southeastern Carolina Cross-roads, Inc. (SCCI) will be constructed in Bladen County with its ministry serving Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, Hoke, New Hanover, Pender, Robeson, Sampson and Wayne counties.

According to the N.C. Department of Health, there are about 55,000 residents in the 11 counties struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and associated mental disorders. Treatment facilities for these people without insurance or means to pay for treatment are limited in southeastern N.C. SCCI’s focus is to provide rehabilitation serves for these individuals and return them to society as a productive individual.

SCCI is a volunteer program whose purpose is to attract those with drug- or alcohol-related dependencies and are interested in treatment. They must be at least 18 years old and be drug- and alcohol-free for at least 72 hours prior to admission. Participants will go through an intensive 12-week program with the opportunity to stay longer as advanced students in cases where SCCI and the student feel it would be mutually beneficial.

The facility will be constructed on approximately 75 acres located approximately 10 miles east of Elizabethtown on Airport Road.

When completed, the facility is expected to house up to 100 men and 100 women, with two people per room in a dorm-type setting. SCCI’s cost for each individual completing the 12-week program is expected to be approximately $4,000. All construction and operating costs will come from donations and grants along with any funds generated from the participants’ work on-site.

Phase I, which includes the land purchase and facility construction for up to 16 participants, is scheduled to be completed in 2009. Phase 1 will also include dining and kitchen facilities.

Ground breaking is scheduled for May 2 and facility construction is expected to start in June.

Phase II, which includes construction of eight additional rooms to house up to 16 additional men, is expected to be completed in 2010. 

Phase III will add facilities for up to 20 women in 2011, with additional facilities to be constructed each year until up to 100 men and 100 women can participate in the rehabilitation process.

The rehabilitation services are free to patients for the first 90 days, which makes up Phase I. After 90 days, they will be evaluated for Phase II. SCCI hopes participants will be able to get a job and pay rent for an undetermined period.

SCCI’s goal is to employ a marketing professional with fundraising experience and trained counselors who will be responsible for teaching faith-based programs. The overall objective is to prepare the participants to return to society as productive citizens.

If you are interested in helping support Southeastern Carolina Crossroads, Inc., contributions may be sent to:

Southeastern Carolina Crossroads, P. O. Box 2023, Elizabethtown, 28337. SCCI is a 501(c)3 tax deductible corporation and your contributions are tax deductible.

To learn more about SCCI, contact Gary Pope at 876-0668.