Murray secures $3 million for Spokane County substance abuse, behavioral health center

Spokane County is getting a helping hand from the federal government in its efforts to expand addiction and behavioral health services.

Spokane County officials have been working toward a larger, better equipped facility to aid in the region’s response to substance abuse, behavioral health crisis care and the opioid epidemic. The expansion of the Spokane Regional Stabilization Center, which opened in 2021, is expected to cost around $21 million, and will help fill gaps in the region in accessing and successfully completing care.

The project took another step forward by way of $3 million in congressionally directed spending. County officials worked with Sen. Patty Murray to get the funding, and publicly thanked the long-serving Democrat for her assistance in a news release.

“My sincere appreciation to Senator Patty Murray for securing this critical investment for our region,” said Spokane County Commission Chair Mary Brooks in a written statement. “This funding will allow us to expand and continue our primary focus of providing timely, recovery-focused care for those who need it most.”

The commission hopes to expand services to include crisis relief and stabilization for walk-ins and referrals, bolstering mental health and substance use treatment. Providing more extensive withdrawal and detox management care will provide relief for the local health care and criminal justice systems by better serving those who often cycle through both, officials said.

The expansion will make the facility a public resource and extend service hours in addition to the aforementioned improvements in care.

In a written statement, Murray stated said ensuring services are accessible around the clock is a critical component in ensuring those ready to receive treatment or in the midst of a mental health crisis are properly cared for.

“That is why services provided by Spokane County’s Regional Behavioral Health facilities are absolutely critical in creating a system that can coordinate care and provide timely access to recovery-focused behavioral health services,” Murray wrote.

In 2024, Spokane County commissioners devoted more than $5 million toward the project, funding that was secured through settlements of state lawsuits against opioid manufactures and distributors. The state has also chipped in $3 million. The remaining portion of the expected $21 million cost will likely be covered by the county’s mental health sales tax proceeds, according to a summary of the project provided on the county’s website.

The work to bolster services will include building a 17,000-square-foot addition to the existing building housing the crisis center. The recent completion of a new headquarters for the county’s public works department freed up additional space for the expansion when the signs and signals crews were relocated out of a garage on the same block as the center.

Justin Johnson, director of community services for Spokane County, said in the release that the federal investment will greatly benefit the health, safety and well-being of regional residents.

“This is more than an investment in a building – it is an investment in the future of our community,” Johnson wrote. “By strategically enhancing our service array and strengthening access to vital behavioral health crisis care, we are laying a solid foundation for a more resilient region.”