SEASIDE – Thugz off Drugz, also known as Riverside Recovery Outreach, now has 15 beds for men without money and 12 beds for women, a recovery club that is a safe place for anyone and an intake center. And there are additional beds for people who can pay. But the focus of the drug recovery group is on Christianity, with Bible studies, worship through music, the Celebrate Recovery group and other faith-based recovery programs. The group is considering a parenting class, a support group for families of recovering addicts and high school equivalency (GED) classes.

The public is invited to an open house at 6 p.m. Saturday at 1530 S. Roosevelt Drive, and sign-up sheets for the programs will be available then. Founder Alan Evans hopes to have a “knockout opening prayer” involving as many people as possible.

Evans said at a Tuesday meeting of 30 former addicts and members of the Christian community that Thugz off Drugz used to take anyone for treatment, but has had the most success with people who accept Christianity. He said there are non-religious recovery groups available for others.

Evans said recovery has to be physical, mental and spiritual. “The people who are still clean and sober today from the very beginning of this organization are the ones who’ve accepted Christ,” he said.

It is not necessary to be Christian to get in the door, according to Sean Navarre, who spent many of his first Bible studies questioning Pastor Eric Huntsman from Logan Road Chapel. Navarre is now Christian and runs the Yamhill County branch of the organization. Others said the group is unique for its non-judging atmosphere.

“You’re welcome, but you’re also accountable,” said Max Justice from North Coast Family Fellowship.

At least eight churches have become involved since Thugz off Drugz lost much of its funding in July, and Evans wants more churches. Justice wants to find long-term donors, saying he and a few other people are consumed by trying to find enough donations for the rent each month.

Other ideas are in the works. For more information or to help, call Alan Evans at 440-9357 or stop by.