Healing those hurt by addiction
Jeff Humphrey, media manager, no phone number available
Friday, September 30, 2022 at 2:38 pm
When police and sheriff’s deputies apprehend someone for an eligible offense, they could be sent to jail or transferred to Spokane’s new Regional Stabilization Center.
“Usually, when they want to get treatment, we’re able to give them that resource. And then we’re able to take them out there and put them in a withdrawal program, a mental health program, or a co-occurring condition,” Sergeant Spokane said. Richie Plunkett explained.
For example, recently a young woman was sent to a stabilization center after deputies found her sleeping in a flower bed.
“So, I’m here to stabilize her. There was an opportunity to get help with medication, and she took it. We were able to avoid illegal arrest and bring her here and hopefully get the help she needs,” Deputy Travie said. Spender said.
Last fall, Spokane County, City of Spokane and local leaders established the Regional Stabilization Center when they realized that people with drug or mental health issues were unlikely to make a successful recovery in prison.
“Yeah, that’s the beauty of this facility, it gives them that opportunity. If they need mental health help, if they need to see medication to help them, it does it. If they have a substance abuse problem, Then we can help them with that,” Spokane County Commissioner Mary Kuney detailed.
Medical professionals at the Stability Center can determine a plan of care and prescribe medication to help those who are ready and willing to start a new path beyond the revolving doors of our county jail.
Patients enjoy healthy meals and have a safe, clean place to sleep.
Pioneer Human Services staff know that by providing these daily necessities, their patients are free to focus on solving their personal problems.
“I’ve been in therapy more than 49 times in my life and realized, I don’t want to quit smoking. I don’t want to leave my safety blanket, which is drugs and alcohol,” admits Clay, a former patient at the stabilization center.
After living on our streets for 45 years and arresting more than a hundred people, Clay was transferred to the Stabilization Center last March.
“This place makes me comfortable enough to keep going, and I keep going, and I’m still going,” Clay assured.
Clay has been clean and awake for six months now.
“I’m still in touch with these people because they’re my new friends and they’re real,” Clay said during a recent visit to the center staff that treated Clay.
With the help of referrals from law enforcement, the center now treats an average of 35 patients a day.
But without regional cooperation, this new approach to providing people with drug rehabilitation courses would never have become a reality.
“The problems we face today are really regional problems. So if we can solve these problems with our regional partners, that’s what we need to do. And, I’m very excited about this collaborative effort to get people to the resources they need. Very pleased,” said Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward.
In the first quarter of 2022, 86% of those treated at the center reported improvements in their well-being and mental health recovery.
In addition to treatment, Pioneer connected 46 percent of patients, including Clay, to a new home off the streets of Spokane.
“I think it shows that when we really come together and put politics aside, we’re going to make a difference in our communities and our citizens,” Cooney concluded.