ROCKLAND — The Mid-Coast Recovery Center has launched a $50,000 capital campaign to support repairs and renovations to The Friends House, a men’s recovery house located in Rockland.   

“Addiction to drugs and/or alcohol has become all too common in Midcoast Maine and across the country, taking its toll on individuals and families throughout our communities,” said MRC, in a news release.

Since the onset of COVID-19, deaths due to drug overdose have dramatically increased in Maine. According to the Maine Attorney General’s Office, 2020 was recorded as the worst year for drug overdoses with 502 deaths and numbers continue to increase in 2021.

The twin epidemics of COVID-19 and drug addiction have made recovery more difficult because of the separation and isolation requirements. Individuals in recovery are in need of significantly more connection, not less, to establish new patterns of healthy relationships. Without providing safe, sober and supportive housing, most people cannot make progress in their recovery and continue to struggle with complications of their addiction.

The capital campaign will raise additional funding to support needed repairs and renovations to The Friends House. Some of the repairs include the addition of a first-floor bathroom and extensive renovations to the parking area.

The Friends House provides a healing environment in which the residents spend time together for support, while establishing employment and connections to other local resources in the community that assist their recoveries. The campaign will provide for an even safer and a more effective place for those committed to recovery from addiction.

If you would like to help, please visit www.midcoastrecovery.org or via email at info@midcoastrecovery.org

Mid-Coast Recovery Coalition, established in 2016, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support to individuals and families seeking help and healing to address the challenge of addiction.