Dans Papers - June 8, 2007 - Lohan Rehab In The Works In Southampton?

Less than three months after his release from prison, Michael Lohan, father of Hollywood party girl and actress Lindsay Lohan, announced plans to open a church and rehab center in Southampton with support from wealthy financial backers, including Stephen Baldwin. The $15 million facility would be situated on a 10-acre lot on County Road 39, currently owned by Donald Havrilla, the pastor of the Southampton Full Gospel Church. Both Mr. Lohan and Mr. Baldwin have stumbled down the road of addiction before and wish to create a "faith-based" environment of wellness that offers high-end accommodations for affluent addicts. After being approached by the two men, Havrilla said he was "pleasantly surprised" by their ideas. Prior to their meeting, Havrilla had never heard of Lindsay Lohan, but now says he is praying for her.

Mr. Lohan became a minister while serving time for attempted assault, unlicensed driving and other charges. He currently counsels troubled youth, while still receiving treatment himself, at a facility in West Babylon. Mr. Baldwin, a born-again Christian, has focused mostly on evangelizing the youth of America since he converted shortly after 9/11. He has directed and produced several DVDs featuring Christian athletes involved in extreme sports and his book, Unusual Suspect, a NY Times bestseller, details his conversion to Evangelicalism. In January, he launched a ministry in San Diego called Uprising!, which features extreme sport competitions and Christian rock concerts.

In reference to the future patients of the proposed rehab center in Southampton, Pastor Havrilla said that they would not be spoiled. He added, "They must accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior if they are going to be here." Does this mean that Britney Spears, a Kabbalist, would not be invited to enjoy the posh accommodations if she were to have another stint in rehab? And what exactly are the luxurious amenities that these centers offer? Aside from breathtaking views, high-end facilities such as Promises in Malibu and Wonderland in West Hollywood offer their "guests" private rooms with 1,000-thread count sheets, cozy fireplaces, tennis and basketball courts, swimming pools, spa treatments and horseback riding. A one-month stay costs about $50,000. Sounds more like a relaxing, upscale resort to me -- just what the Hamptons need.

Mr. Lohan hopes to use the Southampton facility to help people like his daughter. He said, "When Lindsay puts God back in her life, things will turn around." And it's no secret that she certainly needs the help. This past Memorial Day weekend was memorable for many of us, but Lindsay probably didn't remember most of it, as hers went something like this:

After a long night of partying, at about 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Lindsay crashed her 2005 black SL-65 Mercedes into a curb and a tree on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. She then fled the scene and was later arrested for being under the influence of alcohol. To make matters worse, police found "a usable amount of cocaine" in her car. The next night, instead of laying low, Lindsay was photographed in a friend's car, passed out, mouth hanging open with a hood over her head as she left a bar in Hollywood. Maybe she was sleeping, but ironically, an Alcoholics Anonymous "30 days sober" chip dangled from the car's mirror. Perhaps she didn't understand that those medallions represent 30 days sober IN A ROW. Regardless, Lindsay ended the holiday weekend on Monday by checking herself into the Promises treatment facility in Malibu, California, for the second time in six months. It has been reported that her 21st birthday party, scheduled for July 2 -- just days after she would leave rehab -- at the nightclub Pure in Las Vegas, will go on no matter what happens while she is at Promises. Her lawyer released a statement, "part of sobriety is that you can go out into normal society and just go out. Who says you can't move your booty on the dance floor?"

You can't make this stuff up.

Mr. Lohan has been very public about his concern for Lindsay, especially after this recent, highly publicized mess she's gotten herself into. He encourages her to cut out all the enablers in her life -- friends, lawyers, assistants, managers -- and, of course, find God. It seems a little too convenient that this notoriously fame-hungry father released plans for the Southampton treatment facility just days after his daughter entered rehab, but I hope his efforts are genuine. If Promises doesn't work out, maybe Lindsay will take an extended vacation to the East End.