Michigan City workshop reviews proposal for certified recovery residence in La Porte County

Michigan City Common Council President and Fifth Ward Councilor Tracy Tillman convened a joint workshop on March 5 to review plans for a certified recovery residence intended to serve La Porte County men leaving jail or treatment.

The proposal, presented by Mickey Webb, executive director of the La Porte County Drug Free Partnership Recovery Residents Leadership Team, would create a monitored, home-like Level 3 recovery residence certified by the Indiana Department of Mental Health and Addiction. "The disease of addiction and alcoholism doesn't discriminate," Webb said, arguing the county lacks certified recovery residences and that the facility would provide structured support for up to two years for people in early recovery.

The plan calls for a residential-style building with around-the-clock staffing, a resident manager and certified case managers; referrals would come from courts, the jail, rehabilitation programs and other behavioral health providers. Organizers described standardized screening, random drug testing and clinical supervision as part of admissions and ongoing monitoring. Webb and collaborators said the residence would follow state inspection and certification requirements and national residential-recovery guidelines.

Why it matters: La Porte County coroner data cited by presenters showed 37 confirmed overdose deaths last year; presenters said actual substance-related harms and hospital episodes are larger than that single figure. Supporters told the council…