KENNEBUNK, Maine — York County broke ground this month for the construction of a new recovery center and a training facility for law enforcement in Alfred.
The topic of recovery is personal for Kennebunk police Chief Bob Mackenzie. Three of five of his children have experienced substance use disorder.
"Two that are in long-term recovery now, and one that is in a recovery center right now and seems to be doing well," he shared.
Mackenzie has been in law enforcement for 36 years. During that time, he has worked to help those struggling with addiction.
"For me, it was like, 'How do we kind of solve the problem?'" Mackenzie said. "A, save lives. But then, B, help people before they got involved in the criminal justice system."
Between what he's seen on the job and at home, Mackenzie said he was hopeful about the recovery center, which will be the first one of its kind in Maine to be county-run.
"We've had very little resources here within York County," Mackenzie said. "To have something that is here within a short drive to our first responders and for people that are in need is a game changer for us here."
Below are renderings of the recovery center and training facility, respectively.
The recovery center will have more than 50 beds, including space for patients going through detox.
"That is something that our state has been lacking, and for us to have a detox center here is crucial," Mackenzie explained.
Mackenzie said he hopes more people will find the help they need at the center instead of winding up in jail.
"When we bring people to jail, they go and do some time and get out with no real treatment. Revolving door," Mackenzie said. "To me, that's not logical, and it's very expensive. And we're losing people's lives."
Mackenzie said he hoped sharing his own family's experience with substance use disorder will break down barriers and reduce stigma.
"I'm pretty open and public-facing about this, because it goes to show that it doesn't matter who you are. Addiction, substance use disorder, can reach everybody, and it does," Mackenzie says.
According to the York County website, the recovery and training centers will take about two years to build.
The project is estimated to cost around $44 million. That money comes from the American Rescue Plan as well as other grants and funding.