Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown and City Council President Betsy Wilkerson have proposed using $1.5 million in funds from national opioid settlements to invest in behavioral health services and treatment programs.

The proposal was made in collaboration with the Spokane County Board of Commissioners and city and county staff recommendations.

It calls for using $350,000 to expand medication-assisted treatment at the Spokane Regional Health District’s clinic, allowing it to increase treatment access hours, expand operations to absorb walk-in patients, and serve as a drop-off point for first responders.

Also included in the proposal is a $500,000 investment to add additional sobering beds through Spokane Treatment & Recovery Services.

Spokane County has indicated it will provide a match with city of Spokane dollars, according to a press release from the city.

“This regional partnership with Spokane County ensures that opioid settlement funds are used effectively to address both the immediate crisis and its long-term impacts,” Brown says in the release.

Additional investments in the proposal include $139,000 to hire a project employee to track performance of opioid settlement dollars and strengthen overdose data collection, as well as $500,000 to support the planning and launch of culturally specific behavioral health treatment.

“By directing these resources toward comprehensive mental health and addiction services, we can honor those affected while building a healthier future,” Wilkerson says in the release. “Access to effective treatment empowers individuals to reclaim their lives and contribute positively to our community.”