Community tensions rise over future sober living home set to open

Baxter Springs, Kans.- A new sober living home is set to open in Baxter Springs, designed to help men who are committed to maintaining sobriety after struggling with addiction. Upright House Ministries, a Christian nonprofit organization, is behind this initiative, planning to accommodate six men at the facility on Park Avenue.

Paul Baugh, president of Upright House Ministries, highlighted the careful selection process for residents. "Candidates have already been through some sort of detox program, have at least 30 days clean, and undergo an extensive interview process and background checks," said Baugh. "We want to give them a safe place to come in, be able to rest and recover from the life that's been on the streets."

However, the home's location has sparked concerns among some community members due to its proximity to an elementary school and a bar, which is just a three-minute walk away. Baugh himself had initial reservations. "I kind of questioned the location myself at first," he admitted. "But the individuals we will be working with are men who are earnestly trying to get their lives together."

Despite some opposition, including flyers circulated by a concerned neighbor warning of the home's proximity to local children, other residents support the initiative. William Cooper, living just two houses down from the proposed site, dismissed the concerns. "A lot of hate talk against the house is unfounded," Cooper stated. "These men aren't child offenders; they are people trying to get clean, who we need to have around."

Baugh responded to the online debates and fears among the community, stressing the strict criteria for accepting residents into the program. "Those who are getting really upset don't understand the caliber of people we're talking about," Baugh explained. "They imagine it'll be like Skid Row, but that won't happen here. These men will undergo thorough background checks and must prove their commitment to sobriety before we invest in their recovery."

The resident who distributed flyers plans to bring up the issue at the next city council meeting, which is scheduled for tomorrow at 7 p.m., to discuss the placement of the sober living home further.

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