Absolute Ministries Public Comment from Jim DriscollAimee Brunckhorst
From: James Driscoll <jimdriscoll@rcofmt.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 3, 2023 6:21 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Absolute Ministries
My thanks to the mayor and every city council member and the staff for all your hard work and dedication for our city.
I have served one five-year term on the planning board and three, three-year terms as a Selectman (executive branch)
back east know firsthand how difficult and challenging some of your decisions can be as an elected official when you
consider the impact your decision have on neighbors and citizens throughout town. Some decisions seem controversial
but learning and listening to the actual facts often illuminates controversy and provides clarity.
Tonight's decision to approve the permit under consideration for a group home for those in recovery as requested by
Absolute Ministries and their CEO Aaron McPherson should not be a controversial one.
My wife is born and raised here and I have lived in Kalispell for decades. I am the cofounder and CEO of recovery centers
of Montana. We are the largest residential substance abuse disorder, treatment company in Montana. Our men's
facility is approved to help 50 adults in Columbia Falls and our female facility is approved to help 35 adults in Hungry
horse. Our staff of nearly 70 is dedicated to do their best to help each and every client suffering from addiction. The
reality is the state and insurance companies in general will only allow a maximum of 31 days of treatment. We do our
best to give our clients, the strength tools and knowledge they need to be successful but the reality is the recidivism rate
for addiction is six or seven times per patient. It is not a secret that the void and the continuum of care for addiction is to
have a safe and sober place to live after an inpatient treatment.
Most of our clients that graduate successfully don't have a safe environment to go back to. Addiction knows no social
economic boundaries. We have witnessed multi -generational, active drug and alcohol abuse. The need for sober living
here in the valley and throughout Montana is I believe one of if not, the single healthcare emergency issue that we need
to aggressively address.
I am very familiar with absolute ministries work. Three of the four current residence at their Whitefish home graduated
from Recovery Centers of Montana and thankfully continue to do well. The success rate that Absolute Ministries has
under the leader ship of Aaron is incredibly impressive. Kalispell would be a much better place with the approval and the
launch of this new home here in town.
Some neighbors may hesitate about having a group home of people in recovery next -door and that's natural. What I can
tell them firsthand is that these people in recovery are the most dedicated, caring, honest and appreciative people you
will ever come across. They are grateful to be in recovery. They are grateful to have a safe place to live. They are grateful
to be able to have a job and be involved in a community in a positive way for the first time in a very long time. Please
approve this permit under consideration this evening.
I appreciate your time. Peace feel free to contact me. Should you have any questions or comments.
Sincerely,
Jim Driscoll, Co CEO
Recovery Centers of Montana, LLC
406 250A489
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