Neighbors raise concerns over drug rehab center in Lee County

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

Residents near Deer Run Farms Road in Lee County are voicing concerns about a drug rehab center operating behind gated premises, questioning its zoning and the presence of criminal offenders as part of a court-appointed rehab and release program.

Kris McCoun, a neighbor, said, "I didn't know they were taking criminal offenders as part of a court-appointed rehab and release program." McCoun added, "It just seems it was all kind of sneaky in the way that it was done, which I don't think is a great look for a church."

The New Life Dream Center, listed as a nonprofit, describes itself as a substance abuse center and has requested $1.8 million in state funding for expansion.

Melinda Isley, another neighbor, expressed her concerns, saying, "If this can happen in my neighborhood, maybe it can happen in every neighborhood." She added, "When you look at who they bring into this facility, they're ex-convicts. They're drugs and abuse and violent offenders and we have children."

Documents reveal that the county has been unable to inspect the site due to the gated community. Isley emphasized, "We do want to raise awareness about this and we want everyone to know about it."

Bishop Gaspar Anastasi of the Word of Life Church, which runs the facility, addressed the concerns, stating, "People are getting restored back to their faith in Jesus. Basically, it's more of a bible study they get every single day." He assured, "None of these people are that place of being dangerous at all. It's like living in your home. They're not dangerous." Anastasi also clarified that the $1.8 million funding for expansion on the property is not true, saying, "We're not doing any building on that property at all."

He confirmed that approximately 30 people are currently staying at the facility and assured there were no plans to increase that number.

State Rep. Adam Botana, who was sponsoring the $1.8 million funding, expressed his reservations, stating, "I wouldn't want that kind of facility next to my house, too." He added, "We're going to look into it and see exactly what is going on there."

Neighbors are appealing to the rehab facility for transparency. McCoun urged, "Just reach out to the community and say, 'Hey, here's what we're doing.' Have some sort of dialogue so everybody does feel safe."

Bishop Anastasi assured that there will be no sex offenders living on the site and has offered a tour at a later date.

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