Mayor Brown Proposes Boost to Opioid Treatment, Navigation Services

Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown proposed a $730,000 investment in opioid treatment and services during the recent Gabriel’s Challenge community meeting. The proposal includes $300,000 for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome treatment at Maddie’s Place, a nonprofit recovery nursery, and $30,000 for mobile medication-assisted treatment initiatives. Additionally, $400,000 aims to establish an outdoor navigation program to assist individuals living outdoors with opioid use disorder. Mayor Brown stated that the funding will significantly support community organizations on the front lines of the opioid crisis. Shaun Cross, CEO of Maddie’s Place, highlighted the funding's role in ensuring ongoing care and advocacy for sustainable healthcare solutions.

This proposal follows the city’s allocation of over $2. 4 million in opioid settlement funds for various related services, including case management and expanding treatment access. The city aims to address the urgent and ongoing need for specialized care in the wake of the opioid crisis. The proposed measures will likely fill critical service gaps for vulnerable populations.