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He’s been clean for 18 years.

He dropped out of school. He was effectively at the sixth grade level.

He started fishing. Got a captain’s license. Started running boats at age 18.

At age 20, he got on drugs. He became a full-fledged junkie. He couldn’t work.

He bottomed out at age 32, when his future wife brought his daughter to visit. Ten minutes into the visit he was pushing them out the door so he could get high.

Enough! He called Sandhills Adult and Teen Challenge in Pinehurst. He stayed a year.

He came home. Fishing was not an option. At Dare Challenge, Rev. David Daniels was looking to retire. After eight months, he offered the leadership role to Dustin Daniels, who accepted.

Dare Challenge has a structured environment. It’s strict. “What we do works,” said Dustin Daniels to the Manteo Healthcare Task Force on July 9, 2024.

The Wanchese campus will be ready in January 2025. Building is underway for two dorms, staff housing and a multi-purpose building. The program, now at 15 male students, will grow to 50 or 60 students.

Dare Challenge has recently purchased a small horse farm in Wanchese for a women’s center. The goal is the make the program completely self-sufficient with gardening, beekeeping and horse therapy and other revenue avenues.

The farm’s opening day for the public is Saturday, Sept. 14. Watch for announcements.

Daniels next project is a “rehab college.” People think graduating a 30-day detox is a success, but Daniels says there’s nothing set up to help someone get a job, set up a bank account, deal with legal issues, reconnect with children. The rehab college will offer help beyond detox graduation.

At College of The Albemarle, rehab college students can obtain certification in HVAC, plumbing, electricity for free. Health care and dental services are available at the Community Care Clinic in Nags Head. Classes will be required throughout the week.

Daniels says after about six months, the student should truly be a success.

“I made it. I was successful” with his family’s support. “My goal is to have a place that is so successful that it becomes a model for others.”

Daniels provided other insights. Malcolm Fearing, task force chairman, asked about someone in crisis. “That’s a hard issue.” Daniels said someone who has been through a drug crisis is needed.

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