Manna House Ministries will expand its recovery services for those struggling with substance abuse into Pickett County.
County Executive Stephen Bilbrey said the county has seen the great work that Manna House Ministries has done within the past few years in Fentress County. Bilbrey said Pickett County wanted to work with Manna House Ministries as several residents have already used Manna House to help them recover from substance abuse.
“It just kind of was a perfect fit for Pickett County to kind of join with them,” Bilbrey said. “They were excited to try to expand into Pickett County and help us here so we are truly thankful for Manna House Ministries for wanting to do that with Pickett County.”
Pickett County Commissioners have approved a one-year contract of just over $33,300. It will be funded through the county’s opioid abatement funds. Bilbrey said he hopes the new partnership will bring much-needed services to the county.
“We hope it impacts in a positive manner that we can have resources available inside of Pickett County that folks that are dealing with addiction will have something here in Pickett County that they can go to,” Bilbrey said.
Bilbrey said Manna House Ministries will help those who are in the court system and also help those who might need a different approach to recovery. Bilbrey said the services are something that everyone can get behind.
“We would love to wipe out drugs completely in Pickett County,” Bilbrey said. “Knowing that’s probably not realistic but we want to use this money that we have been given through some of these lawsuits and settlements and through the opioid abatement money we want to use that to try to make a difference for the lives of people in Pickett County.”
Bilbrey said services being provided in the county will hopefully lead to more people successfully recovering from substance abuse.