Priority issues
Treatment saves money and lives
State funding for chemical dependency is at risk. Without these vital services, tens of thousands of people will go untreated in Washington State every year. And it won’t save money; it will simply increase the price tag and shift costs.
Without treatment, people frequently end up in local emergency rooms – often repeatedly, at an average cost of $2,000 a visit. Or they end up in jail or prison, where the average annual cost ranges from $28,000 to $50,000 a year.
For comparison, the average stay in our involuntary treatment program runs about $8,000 – and 8 out of every 10 patients successfully finishes the program.
Treatment has consistently proven to be effective in helping people break the cycle of addiction and to be an efficient use of tax dollars.
How you can help
Contact your legislators and tell them you support funding for chemical dependency treatment.
- You can call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 to leave a message for your state senator, two representatives and the governor with a single phone call. It’s open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. on Saturdays.
- If you’d rather send a letter or email, find contact information here. If you aren’t sure who your representatives are, visit the district map.
If you would like to share your personal story of recovery, please let us know.
