Mayor Brown Proposes Boost to Opioid Treatment, Navigation Services

Mayor Lisa Brown announced a proposal to allocate $730,000 in opioid settlement funds to enhance treatment and support services in Spokane during the recent Gabriel’s Challenge community meeting. The plan includes $300,000 dedicated to Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome treatment for infants at Maddie’s Place, a non-profit recovery nursery. Another $30,000 will support mobile medication-assisted treatment and outreach efforts. A significant portion, $400,000, will establish an outdoor navigation program aimed at directing individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of opioid use disorder to appropriate housing options. Mayor Brown emphasized the proposal's commitment to supporting community organizations on the front lines of the opioid crisis.

Shaun Cross, President & CEO of Maddie’s Place, expressed gratitude for the funding, noting its importance for sustaining their services. To date, Spokane has allocated a total of $2,480,350 from opioid settlement funds to various initiatives, including expanding treatment access and embedding behavioral health providers in outreach teams. This funding aims to address the urgent and ongoing needs arising from the opioid epidemic.