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Residents Sound Off Against Proposed Drug, Alcohol Treatment Center

POCONO TOWNSHIP — Residents in one community in Monroe County made their feelings known about the possibility of a drug and alcohol treatment center movin...
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POCONO TOWNSHIP -- Residents in one community in Monroe County made their feelings known about the possibility of a drug and alcohol treatment center moving into their neighborhood.

That was the topic of discussion at a special meeting with the Pocono Township commissioners Thursday night, and tempers flared.

“Do you live next door to it? Are your grandkids and your children playing around it? Drugs bring drugs! Drugs bring drugs!” shouted Beverly Pope.

“This facility belongs down in Stroudsburg where all the new hospitals are being built, not up here,” said another resident.

Three Monroe County businessmen want to develop a for-profit treatment facility at the former Brookdale Resort off Route 611 near Tannersville.

At the commissioners’ meeting, the men's attorney, Jeffrey Durney, outlined what they wanted to do and why.

“My clients have envisioned that Brookdale resort as a property that would be ideal for a treatment center. It's a private property. It's off the beaten path,” said Durney.

Two drug treatment consultants said the clinic would be an 80 to 100 bed facility when it opens.

And while it would be a voluntary clinic, patients would not be allowed to just walk out of the facility, and it would be gated.

“I believe we have an obligation to rehabilitate human lives,” said Carmen Ambrosino, one of the treatment center consultants.

Ambrosino ran the Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services for more than 40 years.

“This proposed treatment program will be staffed by doctors and social workers and counselors,” said Ambrosino.

Not everyone is against the facility.

“We need a place like this and I truly appreciate you attempting to come into our community to save lives, to bring some of these people back to the life they deserve.”

The three men wanting to develop the treatment center are Edward Abraham, Robert Hackenberg, and Vincent Trapasso. All live in or near that community in Monroe County.

No decisions were made as this was just an informational meeting.

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