Substance Abuse Legislative Priorities

Expand Criteria to Access Treatment Under Treatment Expansion

King County supports expanding the admission criteria under SB 5763 (Treatment Expansion) to include substance abuse. The current language in SB 5763 Sec. 301 (1) states that "The division of alcohol and substance abuse shall increase its capacity to serve adults who meet chemical dependency treatment criteria". This language excludes admission to treatment for those whose use is problematic and for whom continued use may result in addiction. We recommend revising the language to mirror RCW 70.96A.350 (Criminal Justice Treatment Account) which states - "the account may be expended solely for: (a) Substance abuse treatment and treatment support services for offenders with an addiction or a substance abuse problem that, if not treated, would result in addiction." This language change supports earlier intervention and encourages admission at a lower, less costly level prior to the development of addiction. Learn more.

Continue Funding for the Intensive Case Management Pilot Project

King County supports extending the Intensive Case Management Pilot Project in King County. This project serves the most costly homeless adults who have chronic alcohol addiction and secures permanent housing. During the 2005 legislative session, funding was approved to provide Intensive Case Management services to a target population of homeless adults who have chronic alcohol addiction. The target population served by the King County Intensive Case Management Pilot Project (ICMPP) is homeless adults who have chronic alcohol addiction and are the highest utilizers of the Dutch Shisler Sobering Center, Harborview Medial Center and the King County Jail. In addition to the case management services, these individuals are all provided housing at the 1811 Eastlake Project. This project saves money and lives. The return on this modest investment in terms of the cost offsets alone makes the project worth the investment. A project evaluation funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has documented considerable cost offsets. Learn more.

Maintain Current Funding Levels

In light of the current projected state budget shortfall,King County recognizes that making substantial budget requests of the state is not realistic. The County is faced with our own significant budget challenges. As such, our requests are minimal or statutory in nature. We request that the state maintain the current substance abuse funding levels for King County. Specifically, we are concerned that programs such as the Group Care Enhancement, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Outstation Chemical Dependency Counselors, and Children's Administration Chemical Dependency Counselors may be vulnerable as they are funded as outstation positions and are not operated on a fee-for-service basis. These programs are critical components of the treatment continuum and must be maintained. The state has wisely invested in expanding access to chemical dependency treatment in the past several years, recognizing that treatment saves the state money in the long term by reducing associated costs in the criminal justice and emergency medical systems. Reducing funding now would undo much of the progress that has been made in reducing the impact of substance abuse on our community. Learn more.