Alcohol/Drug Assessment & Outreach

Spokane County adults (age 18+) seeking publicly-funded treatment for drug or alcohol addiction may be screened and assessed in the Health District’s state-licensed Assessment & Outreach Center, before referral to a treatment facility.

Because they have greater health risks, priority for assessment and treatment is given to:

• Pregnant women
  
• Intravenous drug users
  
• HIV+ individuals
  
• Parenting individuals
  
• Clients who are involved with Child Protective Services (CPS)
  

Services include:

• Assessment – Chemical Dependency professionals complete a thorough assessment of clients to determine their level of dependency and readiness for treatment. Referrals are made to appropriate in-patient or out-patient treatment services, as well as other community services.
  
  
• Outreach – Chemical Dependency professionals meet and interview potential clients at nearly one dozen locations:
  • DSHS Community Service Offices (CSOs)
    
  • Spokane County Jail
    
  • Sacred Heart Medical Center
    
  • Eastern State Hospital
    
  • Pioneer Center East
    
  • Spokane Detox
    
  • Child Protective Services (CPS) offices
    
    
  Clients that meet initial screening criteria are referred for a full assessment. The outreach team often advocates for individual clients to help keep them in the treatment system.
  
  
• Information and Referral – Presentations are delivered to community partners about the signs and symptoms of addiction, along with information about the assessment and referral process for publicly-funded treatment. Call (509) 324-1420 to schedule a presentation.
  
  
• Intravenous Drug Use – Current clients receive information about the diseases transmitted through intravenous drug use – Hepatitis B, C, and HIV/AIDS. Risk-taking behaviors, personal protection methods, and HIV testing sources are discussed along with the impact of drug and alcohol use on families and unborn children.
  

Funding for Assessment & Outreach Center activities and for treatment is provided by state and federal programs including the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment and Support Act (ADATSA), Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), General Assistance for the Unemployable (GAU), General Assistance Presumptive (GAX), and Social Security (SSI).