Renovating former pre-release facility into treatment center

QUANTICO, Md. – County officials are hoping to turn their plans for a local drug treatment center into a reality.

It’s been two years since the Poplar Hill Pre-Release facility in Quantico was shut down. It’s been completely vacant since, but Wicomico County is trying to change that.

“We’re dealing with a Pre-Release Correctional facility that we’re looking to converting to a regional opioid facility,” explains Weston Young.

They’re hoping to retrofit the facility into a place that’s comfortable and welcoming. A place where those struggling with addiction can get the help and resources they need to recover, but in order to do that its going to take some renovations.

“Now the inside as you can see, these showers are part of some of the remodeling that would need to be made, you know we would be looking to have private stalls.”

Taking down the bars from the windows and converting the bunk beds into private rooms are other items on their agenda.

“The opioid epidemic is about 70 percent male 30 percent female so the thought instead of jumping into co-ed treatment, we would start with 20 male beds and work out the kinks.”

But before the renovations start, “The Governor’s office has offered us $972,000 and some change to start renovations and we are going to wait until we finalize the lease and work with a service provider for the direction of those moneys.”

Now we’re told Wicomico County is in discussions with USDA Rural Development, who has grants available for projects like this.

So far, they have received one bid from a service provider and are hoping to receive more in the coming weeks. Renovations are expected to begin in March.