Treatment center proposal will require input from county

The proposed move of a drug and alcohol treatment center to Spokane Valley will require extra approvals and public hearings, Spokane County commissioners decided this week.

American Behavioral Health Systems wants to move its in-patient clinic from north Spokane to the former Good Samaritan nursing home on Mission Avenue, across from Valley Hospital and Medical Center.

On Tuesday, commissioners decided that the move will need input from county officials because patients will come from beyond city limits. If the county determines the site is OK, Spokane Valley will have to approve the site. City Manager David Mercier, who attended the meeting, said he supported the commission decision.

American Behavioral Health currently employs 45 people and has beds for 117 patients at 44 E. Cozza Drive, said Craig Phillips, president and CEO of the for-profit company. The site on Mission would allow an expansion to about 180 beds and to 60 to 65 workers. Besides extra space, the new site would allow the center to create some recreation opportunities, such as basketball courts, on the 6 1/2-acre property, Phillips said.

“Right now, we’re turning people away because we’re always full. There’s funding available, but there aren’t any beds available,” Phillips said. “It’s going to be a higher standard of public treatment than is usually expected.”

Those at the center are there voluntarily, though a small percentage of patients are referred by the court system, Phillips said.

Phillips said patients are not allowed to drive to the center, and those who stay in the program cannot leave for the first 30 days. After that, some earn passes to leave temporarily and use the bus system.

In 2000 the state Department of Health found evidence that patients were treated with “indifference or neglect” and began taking steps to close the center.

However, the company hasn’t had problems since and is in good standing with the state, said Dennis Malmer, certification supervisor with the state Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse.

American Behavioral Health is “now a great partner and valuable community resource,” said Spokane County Health District spokeswoman Julie Graham.

The nursing home on Mission was closed about two years ago after Good Samaritan officials decided to consolidate operations to Good Samaritan Village in Greenacres, said Jim Droppers, administrator of the village.