By MARK MCGEE
The Tony Rice Center is taking another major step in its work fighting addiction in Bedford County.
The Center will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony for its 28-bed addition with several guest speakers, balloon release for those affected by addiction, and open house, to celebrate recovery and our new transitional housing building, on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 1 p.m. at 1300 Railroad Avenue. The public is invited to attend.
The Tony Rice Center (TRC) has been in operation in Bedford County for approximately 34 years. Chris Clay, president of the board of directors, says in that time TRC has helped thousands of men and become one of the highest rated facilities in the State for treating alcohol and drug addiction, and co-occurring mental disorders.
TRC has 36 treatment beds for men battling addiction, for a base 90-day program.
“Over the past two years we have worked to be able to open a new 28-bed transitional housing facility on the TRC campus,” Clay said. “One reason TRC is so successful is due to the length of time with the clients, and now with this new building, TRC will be able to have even more time with its clients.”
The building will be “Lokey House”, named for Tim Lokey.
“The key to fighting addiction is time, and the longer we can keep them in our active treatment or active recovery program, the better odds they’re going to stay sober and maintain sobriety,” said Cody Harris, TRC’s Executive Director.
Once the 28-bed transitional housing expansion is complete, those who have finished the center’s 90-day program will have the opportunity to stay and transition into a work program and remain in a structured environment.
“It’ll also be for people from Bedford County who call in and say they’re struggling and have no place to go,” said Harris. “So we’re really looking forward to getting those additional 28 beds.”
The in-patient program and transitional housing are programs for men only. Additionally, the Center also offers out-patient programs for everyone.”
“We deal mainly with the indigent,” Clay said. “Our clients come to us off the streets or out of jail. Our clients have nothing.
“We don’t accept insurance, but our clients don’t have insurance anyway. We are funded by a fixed Grant from the State of Tennessee. We have a strict, regimented program focused on recovery, of course, but also on life skills and incorporating our clients back in to society as productive members of society.”
The center officials thank Northcutt Surveying, Wamble & Associates, Davis Stokes Collaborative, Lee Adcock Construction and First Community Bank for their support.
