Recovery Point offers hope with open house
From left, Glenna Tucker and Janice Farnsworth listen to Recovery Point staff member John T. give a tour of the facility and explains the program. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
From left, BJ Litz, program director at Recovery Point Parkersburg, Wood County Sheriff Steve Stephens and Kat Boggs, the Wood County Drug Court Probation Officer, listen as Allison Conley, director of development for Recovery Point West Virginia, spoke during Saturday’s open house for Recovery Point Parkersburg. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
From left, Glenna Tucker and Janice Farnsworth listen to Recovery Point staff member John T. give a tour of the facility and explains the program. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
From left, BJ Litz, program director at Recovery Point Parkersburg, Wood County Sheriff Steve Stephens and Kat Boggs, the Wood County Drug Court Probation Officer, listen as Allison Conley, director of development for Recovery Point West Virginia, spoke during Saturday’s open house for Recovery Point Parkersburg. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
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PARKERSBURG -- The nation is suffering from years of substance abuse; the need for recovery is bigger than one community.
"Addiction is a complex issue, and it is important to aid those in recovery," said Brian Aluise, who was at Recovery Point Parkersburg's open house Saturday, representing West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.
Recovery Point Parkersburg, a nonprofit organization, opened its doors in 2017 and has since served hundreds of men suffering from substance use disorder, said Allison Conley, director of development for Recovery Point West Virginia.
"Our goal is to come together to help combat the substance use disorder epidemic and educate the community as to what Recovery Point Parkersburg is doing to save lives. It takes an entire community coming together to make a difference," Conley said.
Recovery Point is an 85-bed facility which offers multiple free treatment options.
"Recovery Point offers more than a chance at recovery, it offers hope for men who may not have any left," said BJ Litz, program director at Recovery Point Parkersburg.
Conley said the operational cost is an average of $25 per person per day, which the program pays for through grants, funding and other donations.
"We receive $17.50 per person per day from the state, but that still leaves close to $1 million a year unpaid for," she said.
Statistically, it costs on average $55 per person per day in jail, according to Conley.
Conley explained that Recovery Point is able to keep costs low because they do not hire outside help. All cooking, cleaning, maintenance and any other needs are taken care of by those in the program.
"I would not be here today if I did not 100 percent believe in the program," said guest speaker Kat Boggs, the Wood County Drug Court Probation Officer.
Boggs said establishing the program in Parkersburg took time, but it has been worth it.
"Everyone on the streets has the potential to get their lives back and become more," Boggs said.
During the open house Saturday, the community took tours of the facility and were able to meet staff, alumni and a few men currently in the program. It also gave the community an idea of what needs the program has.
Boggs talked about how hard it is for those in need of treatment to even focus on that when they are stressed over their next meals or even ashamed to seek help and get clean because of their appearance.
"Many of those in recovery have nothing, we provide clothes, food, a bed, showers, a way to wash clothes and any other needs," said Conley.
Litz encouraged anyone who has questions about the facility, program or wants to take a tour can reach out at 304-428-6301.
Madeline Scarborough can be contacted at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com