Mayor Brown Proposes Boost to Opioid Treatment, Navigation Services

Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown proposed a $730,000 investment in opioid treatment and support services during a recent community meeting. The funding will direct $300,000 towards Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome treatment at Maddie’s Place, a recovery nursery for infants experiencing withdrawal from prenatal substance exposure. An additional $400,000 will establish an outdoor navigation program to assist those living outdoors and at risk of opioid use disorder. “This funding would help establish a new outdoor navigation program, which will fill a critical gap in services,” Brown emphasized. To date, the City has allocated $2,480,350 from opioid settlement funds to various services, including case management and treatment access expansions.

These allocations aim to address urgent community needs amidst the ongoing opioid crisis. The proposal reflects a commitment to supporting local organizations on the front lines of this public health challenge. Mayor Brown's initiative could significantly enhance the capacity of Spokane's opioid treatment services.