Setting Up a Drug Treatment Facility in My Community: Where to Start?

March 5, 2010 in drug rehab

There are many reasons for starting a drug treatment facility, and different scenarios where it might sound like a great idea. Someone who’s recently gotten sober might decide that this would be the best way to carry the message and help others, or a family member of an addict or alcoholic who didn’t get better might decide to open something in their name, or at least in their memory. There are also those who might see it as an opportunity to help pay the mortgage, by turning their home into a halfway house. Whether it’s a money-making enterprise or the desire is purely beneficent, both issues of money and charity will come into play, so it’s best to be reasonable about both of these.

To begin, it’s a good strategy to decide whether you want to make money from the center, or whether you want to open it as a non-profit. A non-profit does not mean you can’t pay yourself or employees, but only suggests that you’re not in business to generate income for the benefit of you or shareholders, and that all the profits will go back into the treatment center. This might be the better option if you don’t have a lot of start-up funds, and it may be easier in the long run to maintain. There are grants and loans available for non-profits as well as profitable businesses, but this does seem to be an area where people are more likely to contribute if their donations are deductible.

Next, it’s time to think about location, particularly if you haven’t already. Chances are, however, that you have an idea of the area in the city, or at least the city. Here, you’ll want to begin to do more research on what else is available for rehab programs here. Look carefully at what’s offered, and try to determine what it is that you can provide that no one else can. Also, what resources are at your disposal? On the human scale, what experiences do you and your potential staff have to bring to all of this? If there are diplomas involved, along with other qualifications and certifications, then you have a lot more to offer at the get-go. Be very aware of all the local laws regarding the administration of treatment, and make sure you meet all the requirements. It’s not a simple task by any means, and more than just a business or a specialty hotel, a treatment center is a commitment to a way of living, that combines solid business practice with a spirit of philanthropy, as well as a compassionate interest in helping people to find their way.

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