New LAM Project seeks transitional housing funds

VINCENNES, IND. (WTHI) - A successful drug rehabilitation program is looking for funding to get out from behind bars.

The Life After Meth Program has been working inside the Knox County jail for the last 5 years.

The faith based organization is now turning to the community in hopes of putting together funds to help those struggling with drug addiction after they get out of jail.

Behind the fences and wire and inside the concrete walls of the Knox County jail prisoners fighting with drug addiction are getting a second chance.

The Life After Meth Program is now funded locally and is making a difference.

"We are able to offer those who are sick and tired of being sick and tired a chance to start over and that is so important," said Life After Meth Executive Director Peter Haskins.

Officials say that while the Life After Meth Program might be having a lot of success inside the jail, once those offenders are released they often have no place to go.

Haskins says it's time for the community to come up with some transitional housing.

"They get out and they've burned so many bridges that they have no where to go, so homelessness is a big issue with people who have been incarcerated," explained Haskins.  "They're trying to start over.  That's what we're trying to do."

While the community may be willing to support a re-hab program inside the jail, Haskins says he knows that raising money to get housing for past drug users out in the community may be more difficult.

"A transition home that has structure, that has supervision, that has accountability and is faith based is going to be filled with people who are doing the right thing," he said.

LAM hopes the community sees that and comes forward with the funding that will let them help those who are coming out of the jail and into the community.

To find out more about the Life After Meth Program and its proposal for transitional housing in the community, go to www.knoxcountylifeaftermeth.com .