More than 80 representatives from 22 Washington counties gathered in Ellensburg Sept. 24 for a conference on mental-health and substance-abuse issues. Attendees grappled with questions of how to fund and implement programs in a year of declining revenues. Challenges include issues such as homelessness and adequate resources for inpatient hospitalization; substance-abuse services; and the provision of treatment options as an alternative to costly stays in jail and emergency rooms.

“All counties struggle with mental-health and substance-abuse problems. This conference allowed county leaders to proactively discuss methods of serving our communities well and spending tax dollars wisely,” said King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson (District 1, featuring Bothell and Kenmore), who co-hosted the conference with the Washington State Association of Counties.