This article originally appeared in the Hobbs News-Sun.
Palmer Drug Abuse Program hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new $4.5 million drug abuse counseling facility on Wednesday morning.
JF Maddox Foundation provided the funding for the 10,000 square foot building, while First Methodist Church of Hobbs donated the land behind PDAP’s current location on Dalmont Street.
“By investing in this facility, the Foundation is not only facilitating access to essential support but also fostering an environment of healing and hope for individuals seeking assistance,” David Reed, chief operation officer for the JF Maddox Foundation, was quoted in a press release.
Greenstreet will be constructing the new building with three entrances at the front, one specifically for the children’s wing, and it will have an outdoor kitchen and patio.
Construction began this week with clearing the land and the installation of a fence for the construction phase.
PDAP’s current building will be torn down and turned into a parking lot once the new building is completed. Services will continue as usual at its current location through the duration of construction.
It will take about 8 to 9 months to complete the construction of the building.
PDAP plans to furnish the new building by having the community adopt-a-room.
“We want the community to feel they have ownership. There has always been so much support from the community here,” Sara Sroufe, senior counselor and prevention coordinator for PDAP, said.
More information about how individuals or businesses can adopt a-room will be available once the PDAP’s board of directors has decided how the program will work.
PDAP moved into its current build ing in 1981 when the program was first founded in Hobbs.
The building is beyond repair fac ing issues with flooding, a leaking roof and the awful smell of sewer gas.
“We gave it a facelift when we first got the building40 years ago,” Sroufe said. “We talked about remodeling it again, but an engineer said it was at the end of its life.”
But not only is the building falling into disrepair, PDAP has outgrown the building, given the number of people in the area seeking substance abuse counseling.
“The Spirit of the Lord has been with us through the whole thing,” Sroufe said.
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