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Teen treatment center clears hurdle
Staff Writer The fate of Minnesota Teen Challenge locating in Brainerd now rests with the Brainerd City Council.
But if Wednesday's action by the city's planning commission is any indication, the outlook is good for the faith-based residential drug and alcohol program.
The Brainerd Planning Commission unanimously approved a recommendation to the city council to amend the city's ordinances to allow as a conditional use in general business zones drug and alcohol recovery and treatment centers that are licensed through the Department of Human Services and unlicensed treatment centers that offer programs similar to those approved by the Department of Human Services but not longer than 18 months.
Commissioners Erik Makowski and Rick Cole were absent from the meeting.
Though not specific to Minnesota Teen Challenge, the amendment would allow the program, which treats adults and teens, to locate to the former Assembly of God Church on South Sixth Street, which has been donated to the rehabilitation program. The former church is currently zoned multiple family residential and would need to be rezoned to general business if the zoning district is amended by the council.
The commission's recommendation followed 20 minutes of public testimony. The issue goes to the city council Monday.
Jay Wilcox, a Brainerd native and current Hermantown resident, is a graduate of Minnesota Teen Challenge. He struggled with meth use for years and believes, unlike other treatment programs, Teen Challenge works because it forces participants to change themselves to be successful.
"It's an answer to a Brainerd problem," Wilcox said. "It's a very productive program."
Brainerd resident Loretta Eue's daughter also went through the program, and said her daughter would not be alive today without it.
Heritage Assembly of God Church Pastor Mark Boone, said when the opportunity arose for his church to donate their old building to Teen Challenge, the church board and congregation jumped at it. "It didn't take long for the excitement to come through for our congregation in that respect," Boone said.
Minnesota Teen Challenge is one of Minnesota's largest residential drug and alcohol treatment programs. They offer two programs: a licensed 60-day extended care chemical dependency program and a one-year life care drug and alcohol program.
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