AARS makes preparations for upcoming Founder’s Day

Alaska Addiction Rehabilitation Services (AARS) began serving adults struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) in the Mat-Su Borough 42 years ago, providing treatment services to more than 3,300 Alaskans. And now AARS is preparing to celebrate Founder’s Day next month.

“AARS has been serving the state of Alaska and the Mat-Su Valley since December 1982. This will be our 42nd year serving the folks who need substance abuse treatment, not just serving the population of the Mat-Su Valley, but statewide,” said Bryan Brandenburg, Executive Director for AARS.

Founded in 1982, AARS was located on Palmer-Wasilla Highway for decades, but in 2012 needing more room, relocated to Nugen’s Ranch, which AARS now owns, with more than 116 acres of farm land in Point Mackenzie.

When Karen Nugen-Logan, daughter of founders Leonard and Henrietta Nugen, retired, Nugen’s Ranch officially became AARS, and Brandenburg insists that the goal is to keep the ranching component that has been a key part of the facility and its origins from the start.

“We certainly want to keep the ranching component and expand that as much as possible,” he said and indeed, AARS has expanded the operations at Nugen’s Ranch, which recently expanded their hayfields by 25 acres. They’ve also added 15 acres to the vegetable fields, as well as adding a second full-size greenhouse. Some of the produce grown and eggs laid by the 100 hens housed in the coops is sold at the Wasilla Farmers’ Market, Friday Flings in Palmer and even at Three Bears.

With all that, the core mission of AARS remains providing client-centered quality treatment services to adults living with substance use disorder and co-occurring disorders from all regions of the State of Alaska. To better serve a growing wait list, AARS is now in the middle of planning and preparing for expansion with plans to double its current 26-bed facility, adding a separate 3,000 square foot office space for outpatient staff as the treatment facility has grown, and a vocational training program for clients.

The upcoming Founder’s Day is planned for December 7, with festivities kicking off at 1 p.m. There will be free food and raffle prizes, along with a presentation about AARS past, present, and future.

For more information about AARS and Nugen’s Ranch, please visit www.aarsrecovery.org