The full board unanimously approved the request from Mountain View Community Church to operate Christ-Centered Addiction Restoration Services, or CARS, on a 39-acre horse farm just off of U.S. 15 south of town following an emotional public hearing that went on for more than hour during the supervisor’s first meeting of the New Year.
“All of us are touched by this,” added Frazier, concerning substance abuse.
CARS, which will offer a year-long program for women, will be located in Frazier’s district on an existing estate with a main house, smaller residence and various outbuildings owned by Robert Rook and his wife, Nonna. They are members of Mountain View.
Neighbors of the property vehemently opposed the project, saying it would increase traffic, create environmental concerns and safety issues and ruin the neighborhood that is located in a mostly rural area.
The CARS Board, led by Mountain View Pastor Mark Jenkins, provided multiple assurances that the program would be well-structured with all of the students under constant supervision. The effort has been five years in the making with board members visiting various other faith-based addiction centers to learn what works and what doesn’t. The facility will be certified, staffed and monitored by local law enforcement with students coming there voluntarily after being clean or sober for at least 30 days.
“We are here to discuss a solution for those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction,” Jenkins said.
In the area last year, through October, 20 people overdosed and died from using drugs, according to the pastor. CARS intends to offer addicts “a chance at redemption,” Jenkins said.
Culpeper County Board Vice Chairwoman Sue Hansohn, like her colleagues, supported the center opening in Culpeper County, calling it a wonderful opportunity.
“If we are Ground Zero, we can’t go anywhere but up,” she said.
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