After suing Robeson County, Hope Alive gets the go-ahead to open opioid treatment facility
With the $10 million Hope Alive received through last year's state budget the organization bought and began renovating a property north of Lumberton. They hit roadblocks and speed bumps along the way but were cleared to proceed after filing a lawsuit against the county.
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Robeson County will be getting an opioid treatment center after all. Sources told WRAL News that a judge ruled in favor of Hope Alive, an organization that received $10 million in state funding last year to address the crisis in the county.
"It's been heart wrenching to see the need in this county, which I just feel like is so underserved," said Shon Pevia, the vice president for Hope Alive.
On Friday, a Robeson County judge gave the go-ahead for the group to continue with their plans and convert a former nursing home located at 1165 W. Parkton Tobemory Road in Parkton, north of Lumberton into an 82-bed drug rehabilitation facility.
Hope Alive wants to open a site where men can access care - holistic and medically-assisted - through a year-long program.
"There aren't many or any for men, and we just felt like we want to really concentrate on the men," said Pevia. "I think there are a couple for ladies. Then we're getting these ladies sober, but we're sending them back home to husbands or boyfriends that are still using."
Robeson County's opioid crisis levels are the highest in the state. They’ve seen almost a 400 percent increase in fatal overdoses in the last five years, which is significantly higher than what the state has experienced over that time.
"Anytime you're not equipping people with a future and for a future, they turn to substances and then it becomes something that they abuse," said Pevia.
First, in August, neighbors expressed concerns about the facility coming to a residential area and petitioned commissioners to block a rezoning permit. Seven out of the eight county officials voted against it. But Hope Alive then sued the county.
The organization has also had leadership changes following the sudden death of founder Pastor Ronald Barnes in October 2022.
Now that there’s been a ruling in their favor, Pevia says they have hope that the process will continue and they can begin addressing the crisis in their county.
"It has been a journey, but it seems like anything that is worthwhile."
At this point, they’re hoping to have the facility open and operating in September.
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