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Washington State Institute for Public Policy

The Effect of Integration on the Involuntary Treatment Systems for Substance Abuse and Mental Health

The 2016 Washington State Legislature directed WSIPP to evaluate the effect of the integration of the involuntary treatment systems for substance use disorders and mental health. WSIPP’s report must include whether the integrated system:
  • Increases efficiency of evaluation and treatment of persons involuntarily detained for substance use disorders;
  • Is cost-effective, including impacts on health care, housing, employment, and criminal justice costs;
  • Results in better outcomes for persons involuntarily detained;
  • Increases the effectiveness of the crisis response system statewide;
  • Impacts commitment based on mental disorders;
  • Is sufficiently resourced with enough involuntary treatment beds, less restrictive treatment options, and state funds to provide timely and appropriate treatment for all individuals interacting with the integrated involuntary treatment system; and
  • Diverted a significant number of individuals from the mental health involuntary treatment system whose risk results from substance abuse, including an estimate of the net savings from serving these clients into the appropriate substance abuse treatment system.
WSIPP's first preliminary report was published in December 2020, the second report was published in June 2021, and a final report is due June 30, 2023.
Nathan Adams, (360) 664-9070 View Legislation