Editor's Note: Featured comments are the most thoughtful or eloquently stated comments from our Facebook page and crestviewbulletin.com and do not necessarily reflect the newspaper management's views.
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About Exodos Ministries' recovering addicts…
They do not come to the center with anything except clothes. No phones are allowed and if they do not follow the rules go back home.
They could be going home to a house next door to your neighborhood.
I … have kids at Baker School but I trust in God and can't live in fear.
Deloras Polhlopek
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Addicts can't heal alone
I personally know the screening processes one has to go through in order to even be considered to enter the program/faith-based ministry. Every man who I've met that has gone through Exodos has genuinely desired help they know they can't get on their own.
They no longer want to be addicted, they have moved on from that and are seeking spiritual healing and restoration; not just for themselves, but also for their families.
This is a way for men to learn how to live their lives as the men God has called them to be. To be the Godly fathers, brothers and husbands they were designed to be.
With a sin like addiction that so easily entangles someone, you can't get through that struggle or temptation on your own.
Breanna Burgess
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Addicts can drive there, but not live there?
These guys don't stand around being addicts and alcoholics; they work and they work hard. If they don't comply, they leave. It's very controlled.
These guys have been all up and down Buck Ward … without any issues. All these residents have been aware of it. They have done work for residents of Buck Ward Road on plenty of occasions, but they can't rest their heads in the same area?
ThomasandElizabeth Van Dyke
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Rather have neighborhood of addicts?
Unfortunately, for many, this seems to have become a case of "I support what they are doing but I don't want it in my neighborhood."
Sadly, without programs such as this one, that offer real support and alternate ways of dealing with life, papers, such as this one will just report more and more articles about drug overdoses, drug related crimes and so forth.
At least people have the freedom to protest a facility that offers help. You could have drug addicts on all sides and not be able to do a thing about it.
I'd take a neighborhood with a Christian based recovery center over a neighborhood of drug addicts any day.
Angie Holland
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A wish for unity, resolution
Hopefully, this neighborhood can come together with this facility and reach an understanding. Rehab facilities are crucial in our area.
Well, everywhere actually. What an awesome opportunity for this small community to have one available to them and the surrounding area.
Addiction is everywhere. It's not going anywhere anytime soon. We need places like these and many more treatment centers as well.
Melissa Willcut Woollums
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Broken lives become whole
I wish all the people who don't want it would talk to a few former residents. They do such an amazing job of helping families rebuild their broken lives.
And, by the way, we all have drunks and druggies in our neighborhood. Some just haven't been made public yet.
Roin Heart
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Safety is no guarantee
I don't blame the residents of that very small Baker community. There is a K-12 school on that road as well. As a parent, I would be worried for children's safety.
There is no guarantee on the stability of those patients and how they are coping with their recovery from drug or alcohol addictions.
Heather Helms
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Criminals at Exodos not likely
Yeah…most addicts want to spend $3,200 just for a place to crash while they case the neighborhood…
Beth Ray Brant
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Addicts are everywhere
I have a child in Baker (School) … and I am not worried about the facility being located there. God will take care of his children.
The thing is, the only reason we know these people have a problem/addiction is because they are actively seeking help. What about all the ones you know nothing about?
There are drug addicts, alcoholics, etc., on every street.
Jessica Medley Smiddy
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Kudos for solving cold murder case
I'm just learning this case was solved and I can't begin to say how relieved I am. The family deserves justice and finally some closure. Maybe Mrs. Melvin can finally rest in peace. Excellent job, OCSD.
Kay McArdle
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Questioning construction jobs growth
Look around. Yeah, there are and have been a lot of road projects, but nothing else. I basically have to stay around the Destin and 30A area just to try to get work!
Scott Howard
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Alternative Black Friday Plans:
•I'm thankful for having my family safe and alive after our home caught fire Sunday evening. But Black Friday? Shouldn't even be in our vocabulary. (Pj Strack Horak)
•Stay at home on Black Friday and enjoy family, friends and the animals! (Michelle Cook)
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Christmas Parade changes an improvement
This is great. Now if there would only be some way to keep bully kids and adults from blocking little ones, it would be so much better.
Ember Knoblauch
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HUBBUB: Addicts can't heal alone, alternative Black Friday plans