New Hanover County Commissioners approved expanding an upcoming substance use treatment center to include 100 beds for women. The women’s facility will accompany the already-approved 100-bed facility for men, both of which have yet to enter the design-phase.
The Healing Place will be the only peer-led residential recovery program in Southeastern North Carolina to provide free treatment to men and women suffering from substance use. Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Julia Olson-Boseman says she’s long supported expanding the facility.
"I can't tell you how many times a women, somebody has come up to me and wanted help in wanting to get treatment but did not have money or insurance or any resources. And there's nowhere that I could send her. And I'm happy to think that... if a man or a woman comes up to me and wants help and wants to try and beat an addiction, that we have some place they can go free of charge."
Opponents say they worry about security and safety. County officials say the building’s doors should open by spring of 2021.
