Save opioid treatment in Spokane

The following is from PROTEC17:

SPOKANE, WA (September 17, 2024) — The Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) is considering privatizing the Treatment Services opioid treatment program, which has proven to be an effective public program that saves lives and improves our community. Join PROTEC17 union members and community members on Sept. 19 from 6-7:30pm at Manito Park (1702 S. Grand Blvd.) in Spokane, WA to show your support for this vital program.

SRHD Treatment Services is a fully self-funded public program treating nearly 1,000 patients a year for opioid and substance-use disorder. Privatizing Washington state’s largest opioid treatment program could result in patients losing access to vital care and services, as well as leaving our community without an accountable, transparent system for some of the most vulnerable among us.

PROTEC17, the labor union representing Treatment Services workers, has heard from countless SRHD employees, patients, medical providers, and community members who strongly oppose privatization. In an anonymous survey of PROTEC17 members working in SRHD Treatment Services, workers have said:

• “I chose to work at SRHD because we serve a population that no other sector can reach. We meet people where they are at in their recovery and allow them to make decisions based on their needs.”
• “We are truly able to take our time and work on barriers as patients are ready and motivated. In the private sector, there is a time crunch to address situations as soon as possible”
• Patients in the private sector get booted from services if they cannot pay. Public Health offers other options to assist patients in continuing their care, despite financial status.
• “I truly believe this work is best suited for Public Health, as the opioid epidemic is a public health issue.”

We are gathering together on September 19 from 6-7:30pm at Manito Park to show support for saving this essential public program at SRHD. Come learn about how treatment services saves lives, hear from people directly impacted by this proposed change, and sign our petition to ensure these services continue to make our community a better place to live.

PROTEC17 is a labor union representing over 10,000 public employees across the pacific northwest in city, county and state services. PROTEC17 represents over a thousand public health workers across Washington state, including the majority of the health care staff at Spokane Regional Health District.