Cities are not traditionally healthcare providers, yet emergency first responders are increasingly called and dispatched to behavioral, mental health and substance use crises. In communities across the state, extreme disparities exist in access to first responders, behavioral health resources and drug treatment. Many communities do not have adequate local options to divert people into treatment.
Additionally, the emergency responder who shows up first to the scene of a crisis may not be equipped to handle the situation. This crisis is both tragic and dangerous for individuals, families and our entire community. The crisis is overwhelming our systems and exhausting our resources. Often, we are experiencing a feeling of hopelessness. The crisis is affecting our quality of life and sense of place and happiness.
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The Legislature has made significant investments in this system in the past few years, but major gaps remain and we need legislators to set aside partisanship and geopolitics to address these challenges.
Several cities have taken bold actions and are adopting new programs that complement a traditional law enforcement response. Community diversion options like mental health field responders, Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), and Community Advocates for Referral and Education Services (CARES) programs have proven successful.
Cities are coming up with creative ideas: Longview for example took the lead by staffing up its own Behavioral Health Unit. The communities of Bothell, Kenmore, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, and Shoreline worked together to create the Regional Crisis Response (RCR, pronounced ‘racer’) Agency — a new regional partnership that provides crisis de-escalation, intervention, and navigation to the system of care. Early data from the new program shows: 67% reduction in jail bookings; 60% reduction in crisis services events; and 4% reduction in emergency department visits.
Greater access to behavioral health services, including substance use disorder treatment and dual diagnosis treatment facilities are needed now. Additional state funding is needed for cities to establish alternative response programs like field responder programs, diversion programs, and others that provide options beyond law enforcement to assist individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges.
We need help in increasing capacity and providing greater access to the entire continuum of behavioral health services and substance use disorder treatment for adults and juveniles, including crisis treatment, inpatient treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, ongoing behavioral and mental health treatment, and substance abuse disorder treatment. We need investments made to improve the workforce and increase staffing at community treatment centers and to expand treatment facilities.
With strong state revenues and an urgent need for help in communities, now is the time for legislators to lead, work together and offer additional assistance to cities. The state Legislature needs to provide additional funding for behavioral health resources in the coming legislative session. The Legislature can do this by expanding behavioral health and substance use disorder services and funding for law enforcement alternative response programs.
Mike Wallin is a councilman and mayor pro tem at the city of Longview. Wallin is a former chairman of the Cowlitz County Substance Abuse Advisory Board and former chairman of the Cowlitz County Regional Support Network.
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