A noticeably frail Bill Clinton appeared unsteady and struggled to speak during the groundbreaking of a new $18 million men’s addiction facility in Brooklyn Wednesday morning.
The 79-year-old former president made a rare public appearance in Crown Heights, joining local officials and community members to mark the expansion and renovation of Anchor House Men’s Addiction Rehabilitation Facility, a faith-based addiction recovery program close to his heart.
Clinton, who has frequently discussed his brother’s struggles with substance abuse, sounded soft and heavily strained as he revisited those experiences during the ceremonial event.
“I have a brother I’m very proud of who was in rehab four times, was in prison 14 months, and was very near death after battling it for 50 years, almost,” said Clinton, whose head slightly wobbled as he spoke.
“And just when it seemed that all of our time had gone out, he decided he wanted to live. And there were people there who wanted to help him stay alive,” the ex-prez continued, adding that his brother has remained sober since, calling it “a bigger achievement than anything I ever did.”
“We should thank the people who are involved in this work, we should say thank you,” Clinton declared, quipping that he’s needed plenty of second chances – especially as the oldest person in the room.
“So this is a place of second chances.”
The expanded Bergen Street facility, designed by Urban Architects, will add 10,800 square-feet to boost capacity to 70 beds, with upgraded rooms and new shared spaces for treatment, mental health care and family support services, according to Anchor House.
The building will also include a courtyard and oversized windows to flood the treatment floors with natural light.
“Today, we stand on sacred ground, not simply to break soil but to disrupt cycles, not simply to build but to restore, not simply to expand the facility, but to expand hope, healing and the future of recovery in Brooklyn, because the crisis before us is not abstract,” Anchor House executive director Alison King said.
“It’s urgent, it’s local, and it’s deeply human.”
