Couple opens halfway house to fight Horry County’s drug problem

CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – One couple works to help combat Horry County’s drug problem by opening a halfway house for women.

If you watched News13’s special report on heroin in Horry County, you met Chris Hocker. He spent most of his life addicted to drugs, but in 2010, he made the decision to get sober.

Since then, Hocker has gotten engaged to a woman he says is his best friend. Her name is Maggi Agle, and she’s also a former addict. Together they decided to help others on the road to recovery.

Hocker and Agle recently bought a house off Highway 544 and named it Heather’s Hope, after Maggi’s friend who died from a drug overdose.

“Some people leave in-patient treatment and they’re just flat on their face within a week,” said Agle.

She says the house will offer people a safe place to transition from treatment to living on thier own.

Katherine Hardin moved into Heather’s Hope Thursday. Hardin spent four months in a rehab facility. She struggled with the mental and emotional pain that came along with addiction.

“Isolation and loneliness is a really big thing for a lot of addicts and alcoholics,” said Hardin.

She says halfway houses encourage socialization because you’re surrounded by people. Hocker adds that the house also enforces structure and accountability.

For example, residents will have to sign in and out. They also have a curfew of 11 p.m. on week nights, midnight on weekends. Hocker says residents are required to have a job, attend self help meetings regularly and follow a chore list.

“We want them to leave here with the confidence of knowing that they can live on their own and be sober doing it,” he stated.

Of course, both Hocker and Agle know that not every person that comes through Heather’s Hope will succeed at staying sober.

“We’ll face issues when they come, but it’s great,” said Hocker. “I think we’re going to be able to help a lot of people.”

Heather’s Hope currently has eight beds. Hocker and Agle have also bought a home in Murrells Inlet to serve as a halfway house for men. They expect it to be finished sometime next month.