Mental health treatment programs to see increased funding
Published on Thu, Dec 18, 2008 by Beckye RandallRead More Local News
While other programs face cuts due to strained budgets, Snohomish County will begin offering expanded mental health and chemical dependency treatment services funded by a state-authorized sales tax increase of one-tenth of one percent, or 1¢ on a $10 purchase.
The tax increase will go into effect April 1, 2009, and is expected to raise about $11 million annually. The revenue will double detoxification services, expand residential treatment facilities and drug courts for adults and juveniles, and place drug and alcohol intervention specialists in county high schools.
Plans also call for the creation of crisis stabilization units for adults and youths.
"This is a public safety issue," said councilmember Dave Gossett. "We either treat people, or just jail and release, further endangering them and the public."
With almost no evaluation and referral services currently available in the county, most people with mental health and chemical dependency problems end up in police custody and incarceration, only to eventually be returned to the street without receiving the help they need.
"These services are essential to the health of our community," said council chair Dave Somers. "It's time we get ahead of the problem."
A recent public forum attracted more than a hundred people who filled the council's meeting room and spread out into the adjacent foyer. Over the course of an hour and a half, 38 people testified in support of the measure, citing a chronic lack of adequate treatment options in Snohomish County. No one spoke in opposition. The council approved the sales tax increase 3-0. Councilmembers Mike Cooper and John Koster were absent.
"This is also a cost-efficiency issue," said Gossett. "For every dollar spent today on treatment, taxpayers save four dollars down the road on law and justice costs."
"Most importantly, this is a humanity issue," Gossett continued. "We need to treat these people decently. We need to treat them."
"Consistent with my legislative record," said Councilmember Brian Sullivan, "I have always supported mental health services, and this is an appropriate action to take."
The tax increase will go into effect April 1, 2009, and is expected to raise about $11 million annually. The revenue will double detoxification services, expand residential treatment facilities and drug courts for adults and juveniles, and place drug and alcohol intervention specialists in county high schools.
Plans also call for the creation of crisis stabilization units for adults and youths.
"This is a public safety issue," said councilmember Dave Gossett. "We either treat people, or just jail and release, further endangering them and the public."
With almost no evaluation and referral services currently available in the county, most people with mental health and chemical dependency problems end up in police custody and incarceration, only to eventually be returned to the street without receiving the help they need.
"These services are essential to the health of our community," said council chair Dave Somers. "It's time we get ahead of the problem."
A recent public forum attracted more than a hundred people who filled the council's meeting room and spread out into the adjacent foyer. Over the course of an hour and a half, 38 people testified in support of the measure, citing a chronic lack of adequate treatment options in Snohomish County. No one spoke in opposition. The council approved the sales tax increase 3-0. Councilmembers Mike Cooper and John Koster were absent.
"This is also a cost-efficiency issue," said Gossett. "For every dollar spent today on treatment, taxpayers save four dollars down the road on law and justice costs."
"Most importantly, this is a humanity issue," Gossett continued. "We need to treat these people decently. We need to treat them."
"Consistent with my legislative record," said Councilmember Brian Sullivan, "I have always supported mental health services, and this is an appropriate action to take."
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