LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – Corydon, Indiana may have a rich history, but Jeff Skaggs says a few bad habits rolled into town years ago.
"We are still dealing with a meth addiction that comes back," he explained.
Skaggs, who is the coordinator for the Harrison County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, is on the front lines fighting what he calls a drug and alcohol abuse crisis among women.
His latest project is to get those women out of jail and into a transitional home. "It is a six-month program where the women will work, complete programming, complete individual counseling and build a foundation to be successful upon leaving the program," he told WHAS11.
He initially asked the Harrison County Council for $200,000 to buy an existing property in downtown Corydon and turn it into a suitable halfway house for 14 women. Commissioners gave him $130,000 which is enough for the non-profit to buy the home.
Debbie Longoria is interested in the project. Her sister has been clean and in recovery for 12 years.
"I'm very confident this program works. The person that comes into the, that requests the program, has the desire to be clean and sober," she said.
Skaggs wants to move fast on the project. He says the county jail is at capacity with 15 women having to be housed in other neighboring county jails. He says that's not the answer in getting the women help and believes the halfway house is the kind of support they need.
"I feel confident that we are going to find a solution and move forward with this project," he said.
The operating expenses will be primarily paid for through grants and donations. If you'd like to help the Harrison County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, you can visit its Facebook page or email Jeff Skaggs at hclcc@gmail.com.