Human Services & Housing
Staff Contact:  Julie Murray

Chemical Dependency
Counties plan and manage chemical dependency prevention and treatment services for a broad spectrum of the community: youth and adults who are at risk of or addicted to drugs and alcohol; pregnant women; children and families in the child welfare system; those leaving welfare for work; injection drug users; persons with HIV/AIDS; and those disabled by drug or alcohol dependence. Increasingly, counties serve adult and juvenile offenders being released from state institutions and either diverted from or incarcerated in local facilities. Treatment related to these populations, such as drug courts, has had a significant impact in reducing recidivism at both the state and local level. It also provides for community safety while potentially saving limited funds currently required for building and operating additional correctional facilities.

The addition of closing the treatment gap funds in 2005 has improved the number of persons served, but there remain large numbers of persons who go unserved, especially those who are not Medicaid eligible.

Several concerns continue to draw attention. The continued increase in the use of methamphetamine has dramatically increased costs for law enforcement, public health, and the treatment community. This is also true when any other illicit drugs undergo an increase in usage. The Legislature is also demanding that the state and counties pay additional attention to the growing number of those with challenging and complex multiple diagnoses, including those with co-occurring drug and alcohol dependency and acute or chronic mental illness, frequently compounded by developmental disabilities or severe medical conditions. There continues to be a shortage of chemical dependency professionals which must be addressed.

WSAC Policy:
Counties seek a partnership with the state to implement effective prevention strategies. Counties support adequate funding for drug and alcohol services for low-income persons, which will reduce the cost to local communities from untreated drug and alcohol abuse and dependence. Added resources are needed to provide for inpatient and outpatient treatment in the areas of detoxification, opiate and methamphetamine addiction, and involuntary care. Specialized and integrated services for the chronic public inebriate and the dually diagnosed are needed. Youth should be given a high priority in prevention, intervention and treatment programs. Counties also support adequate funding for any additional state and/or federal mandates to increase services to new priority populations and other assistance to decrease the growing shortage of chemical dependency professionals. Any new funds must be as flexible as possible. Counties oppose any reduction in funding for chemical dependency programs unless the reduction is achieved through administrative efficiencies that provide the same or an higher level of service.