SPOKANE, Wash. — A local treatment center is expanding its services and hoping to save more lives from addiction thanks to a recent contract awarded by the Spokane County Commissioners.
Spokane Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS) has been helping people in Spokane recover from addiction since 1980.
The organization said it’s been difficult recently to keep and grow their programs.
On Tuesday night, the Spokane County Board of Commissioners awarded STARS $755,000 to help them continue their important work.
“This will allow for renovation, remodel and additional beds, as well as additional programs,” said Executive Director of Stars, Ryan Kent.
The funds awarded by the BoC come from an opioid lawsuit settlement won by the Washington Attorney General.
STARS will also now be able to purchase the building they have been renting. The contract will cover about 25% of the cost and funding from the state will make up the rest of the $4 million purchase.
The organization will also restart the ‘Sobering Units’ program, which was previously shut down due to lack of funding.
“It’s all about providing a smooth transition in helping navigate the system,” Kent said.
‘Sobering Units’ provides people detoxing from addiction and safe place to receive care outside of the hospital. It is staffed by professionals trained in detox and emotional support.
“That’s a huge part of this – trying to be proactive and making sure that it’s known that this service is available to individuals, that if they feel they are on the verge of losing all hope or feel like they don’t have anywhere to go, this is somewhere to go,” Kent said.
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