The John Brooks Recovery Center (JBRC) was founded in Atlantic City during January of 1969 (as NARCO, Inc.) by a group of six Atlantic City residents with the assistance of the Episcopalian Diocese of New Jersey and the Division of Urban Concerns. John Brooks a recovering heroin addict and ex convict is usually identified as the driving force and subsequent Executive Director for many years. At that time JBRC was an outpatient, storefront treatment center for drug abusers. The primary mission was to provide quality treatment for minority, indigent drug abusers within the area of Atlantic City. A secondary but very vital mission was to provide prevention and education in the area for groups such as churches, schools, social clubs and civic organizations.