behavioral health Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Federal funds to battle opioid addiction coming to rural western Washington hospitals

By Lauren Gallup September 15, 2023

Map of Percent Change in Reported 12 Month-ending Count of Drug Overdose Deaths, by Jurisdiction: April 2022 to April 2023, showing Washington with an increase of 31.33%. // Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

For people seeking medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder in some rural Washington communities, there could soon be more options. Recent grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been allocated to develop medication-assisted treatment (MAT) at rural clinics. Read More

Northwest health providers reflect on first anniversary of 988 hotline

By Rachel Sun July 20, 2023

Providers say education, building trust among communities and building out mobile response teams are top prioritiesRead More

Washington leaders call new drug law ‘imperfect’ solution to overdose crisis

By Northwest News Network May 18, 2023

Washington lawmakers passed a new drug possession and addiction treatment policy during a one-day special legislative session Tuesday

Washington is getting a new drug possession and addiction treatment law, after the state legislature approved a final deal during its one-day special session Tuesday. But many lawmakers call it a hard compromise that represents just one step toward tackling the state's drug crisis.Read More

How Washington, Idaho are attempting to reduce increased opioid overdose deaths

By Lauren Gallup March 24, 2023

Rachel Ahrens and Nora Hacker of First United Methodist Church in downtown Tacoma, show off the building's new Narcan vending machine. The medicine inside is free to all and has already saved one person's life, that they know of. Photo by Lauren Gallup.

In downtown Tacoma, Rachel Ahrens said she sees drug use and abuse frequently. “I've personally seen somebody that was just slumped up against the door and looked to be like an overdose,” said Ahrens, who is the building administrator for First United Methodist Church. “I didn't have Narcan at that time, so I wasn't able to administer that. So I had to call 911, for them Read More

Rewarding substance abstinence is effective, but faces real-world application hurdles

By Rachel Sun January 20, 2023

If you’ve ever promised your child a reward for cleaning their room, or trained a pet using food, you’re probably familiar with the power of positive reinforcement. A group of Washington State University researchers say that same technique helps effectively treat substance use disorder. Health reporter Rachel Sun has more.Read More

Federal funds to battle opioid addiction coming to rural western Washington hospitals

Northwest health providers reflect on first anniversary of 988 hotline

Washington leaders call new drug law ‘imperfect’ solution to overdose crisis

How Washington, Idaho are attempting to reduce increased opioid overdose deaths

Rewarding substance abstinence is effective, but faces real-world application hurdles

Mental health providers highlight resources, coping strategies for grieving Moscow community

Benton County purchases, leases buildings for new recovery center

Providers explain what to expect when calling 988