Big pharma funds going toward new EPIC sober living village in St. Johns County

Chris Childers will be the firs to tell you, he is lucky to be alive.

“I’ve died four times, a lot of seizures, liver failure, kidney failure. I really shouldn’t be here,” he said.

He has been in rehab 24 times. 23 of those times he replased.

“I was a real bad alcoholic. I drank a gallon, you know, booze every day for 10 years,” he said.

Using money from the opioid settlement funds from big pharmaceutical companies, St. Johns County will partner with EPIC Behavioral Healthcare to build a sober living village called Second Wind Village.

It will be built in Collier Heights near the 312 extension. It will have 32 beds. They are hoping to break ground by the end of the year.

Gary Boothe runs the EPIC homes right now. He is also in recovery.

“It works, the structure, the accountability, the camaraderie that it creates, the support from the people in the house and staff is necessary,” Boothe said, “They get up in the morning, you know, they have to text me, goals, daily goals, three to four goals a day, and then also something they’re grateful for. It’s a gratitude list every single day.”

In October 2023, EPIC Behavioral Healthcare’s executive leadership requested local match funds from the county to support the project. The State Legislature committed $2,896,385 for the Second Wind Village for 2025.

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The funding for this project is set to come from the Opioid Settlement Funds awarded to St. Johns County. These funds, resulting from settlements with pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies, are designated to treat and prevent further opioid use disorder.

EPIC is getting $350,000 in its second installment. These funds will go towards the down payment, purchase, and development of land for the sober living transitional housing village near the 312 extension.

Kristine King with EPIC lays out where they are right now.

“We ended up with about 2.8 million for the Phase One of Second Wind Village. We also were fortunate to receive 600k through the county as a match.

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Childers has been in sober living four years, now running his own house, and being of service to newcomers.

“I love it. That’s my service work. I love seeing them succeed. And to me, it’s a selfishly selfless you know,” he said.