Individuals struggling with addictions need access to quality treatment services. Statistics on Whatcom County treatment services out-comes are not positive. Whatcom County ranks as the third Washington State County in need for more substance abuse services out of 39 counties (WCCBHP, 2008). The major stumbling block for individuals to stop active use of drugs is the ability to gain treatment access. The 2008 Whatcom County Comprehensive Behavioral Health Plan quotes several studies that show lower rates of access to treatment. 7,389 Whatcom residents needed treatment and only 1,360 accessed treatment services (DSHS, 2005).
Whatcom County’s ranked 32nd of 39 counties in the ability to provide treatment (WCCBHP, 2008). The uninsured population struggle to fund treatment. This population often relies on state healthcare coupon or applies for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment and Support Act. Jackie Mitchell, the Whatcom County Substance Abuse Programs Coordinator explains the need for Whatcom County low-income chemical dependant individuals (WCCBHP, 2008):
“Only 24 of the 4,240 lower-income households that would benefit form community based substance abuse are accessing it. Current policies force us to ration these services to the indigent. There not enough funds to help provide these services to the indigent. There are not enough funds help provide these services of the working poor and other poorly service subgroups.
Those who do qualify for ADATSA program, 30% were never admitted to treatment at all (DSHS, 2007).
I help people enter treatment services at Whatcom County Social Detox. I field several phone calls daily from people inquiring on the steps to enter treatment. The steps to access services are often a confusing process. In response I created a “cheat sheet” on all the several ways to get help. The PowerPoint presentation is broken down to help the individual understand what program fit their needs. My goal is to simplify the various ways to gain treatment access. I hope to use this presentation at work to simplify how a person can gain services.
References Department of Social and Health Services. (2007). Tobacco, alcohol, and other drug abuse trends in Washington state. Department of Social and Health Services Research and Data Analysis Division (2005). County profile of substance use and need for treatment services: Whatcom county. Whatcom County Health Department. (2008). Whatcom County Comprehensive Behavioral Health Plan. Retrieved from