IONIA, Mich. -- Two arrests were made following a meth bust in Ionia County on Monday.
It happened at an apartment in the 400 block of West Main Street in Ionia, next door to a church that offers addiction and recovery services through the True Freedom Addiction Program.
John Odette, the Deputy Director for Ionia Department of Public safety, told FOX 17 Monday that his team was called to the area to help the Michigan Department of Corrections arrest a man who violated his parole.
Officials told FOX 17, during that arrest, they found evidence that meth was being made inside the home.
Those nearby expressed shock at the thought of a meth bust going down just feet away from their church doors.
Tom Cole is a recovering drug addict and founder of the church. He also launched the program to help others overcome addiction.
"It’s kinda crazy being so close next door and we had no clue about it," said Cole.
Cole knows all too well the struggle with addiction. He turned to his faith to help guide him on the right path.
"I focused on the Lord myself. I spent the last 10 years being sober, but I spent the last 10 years in church and growing in the Lord that’s what helped me," Cole said.
Cole said he was homeless and even spent time in jail after using anything from meth, crack to heroin.
"We lost at least 10 friends from drug overdoses and suicide," said Cole.
Drug addiction may be hard to get over, but Cole said one of the first steps is addicts themselves reaching out for help.
"There’s help", said Cole. "There’s a lot of programs out there, if you ask you’ll receive."
If you would like to check out their program, it's held every Monday at 7:00 p.m. at Restore Church.
Police tell us a total of 6 people were in the apartment at the time, 5 adults, 1 juvenile.
Two of the adults were arrested on warrants and other drug-related charges, the other three were questioned and let go.
Police tell us additional charges will likely be sought against everyone involved.
